Delta Discontinues Absorption of Passenger Facility Charges on Certain Domestic Itineraries to Reflect Full Costs of Government Fees

ATLANTA, March 31, 2006 – Effective today, Delta Air Lines has discontinued the absorption of passenger facility charges (PFCs) on certain domestic itineraries to reflect the full costs incurred from airport-specific PFCs. These fees – imposed by local airports and authorized to be levied by the Federal Aviation Administration – are charges of as much as $18 per round-trip itinerary to fund improvements at various U.S. airports.

Delta has traditionally absorbed these fees on connecting flights to remain price competitive with non-stop service or via connecting hubs that do not have PFCs. As a result of this change, ticket prices will increase between $3.00 and $4.50 each way for certain single connecting Delta itineraries within the 50 states where PFCs have previously been absorbed.

“Taxes and fees on airline services are among the highest of any consumer good and we believe there should be transparency for our customers in the costs of their travel,” said Gail Grimmett, vice president – Revenue Management. “The changes we are announcing today allow us to more accurately display the full costs of government fees imposed on certain connecting itineraries while at the same time allowing us to collect the appropriate revenues to cover a portion of these costs.”

Delta Air Lines (Other OTC: DALRQ) is one of the world’s fastest growing international carriers with more than 50 new international routes added or announced in the last year. Delta offers daily flights to 503 destinations in 94 countries on Delta, Song, Delta Shuttle, the Delta Connection carriers and its worldwide partners. In summer 2006, Delta plans to offer customers more destinations and departures between the U.S., Europe, India and Israel than any global airline+, including service on 11 new transatlantic routes from its Atlanta and New York-JFK hubs. Delta also is a major carrier to Mexico, South and Central America and the Caribbean, with more than 35 routes announced, added or applied to serve since Jan. 1, 2005. Delta’s marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on more than 14,000 flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes and check flight status at delta.com.
+Based on July 2006 OAG

Contact Information

Chris Kelly

Senior Manager - Media Relations

Delta Air Lines

Contact via E-mail