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SkyTeam Partners, Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico, to Form Global Maintenance Partnership


WEBWIRE

Airlines also to expand maintenance relationship to include engine and airframe contracts

PHOENIX, April 26, 2006 – SkyTeam® partners, Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico, have reached a tentative agreement to form a maintenance partnership through which the airlines’ maintenance divisions, Delta TechOps and Aeromexico Maintenance and Engineering, will jointly market and perform maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for maintenance customers worldwide. Specifically, the partnership will allow Aeromexico to expand its airframe heavy maintenance capabilities while allowing Delta TechOps to grow its overall MRO business.

“Today’s announcement is a win-win for Delta, Aeromexico, and our current and future MRO customers,” said Tony Charaf, senior vice president – Technical Operations, Delta. “This new partnership will leverage the unique capabilities of both MRO providers.

“Not only will customers continue to benefit from Delta TechOps’ proven experience in engine, component and airframe maintenance, they can add heavy airframe maintenance to that list – via our partners at Aeromexico – providing our customers with true nose-to-tail capabilities,” Charaf said.

In addition, Delta and Aeromexico will expand their current maintenance relationship. Through separate agreements, Delta TechOps will become the exclusive maintenance provider for Aeromexico’s fleet of CFM56-7 engines and 131-9B auxiliary power units (APU), while Aeromexico will become the exclusive heavy maintenance provider for Delta’s MD-88 fleet.

“We’re excited to provide Aeromexico with our proven experience in CFM engine maintenance and look forward to developing our partnership during the coming years,” said Charaf.

Said Aeromexico CEO Andrés Conesa, “Once materialized, this alliance will ratify Aeromexico’s leadership position in aircraft maintenance in Mexico. In addition to the economic benefits the airlines may obtain through these contracts, one of the most outstanding points derived from the agreements is the fact that for the first time ever a Mexican carrier will serve as the exclusive major maintenance service provider for 120 airplanes in a U.S. carrier’s fleet, which serves to prove Aeromexico’s high quality standards in its Maintenance Division. This alliance will confirm once again that the best asset we have in Aeromexico is our people.”

Delta’s TechOps division, staffed by more than 6,500 maintenance professionals from around the world, provides maintenance and engineering support services for Delta’s fleet of aircraft in addition to customer aircraft, engines and components. Services range from project engineering to comprehensive nose-to-tail agreements that provide complete aircraft and engine maintenance support. Delta TechOps is a leader in operational experience with the CFM56 engine and was the first non-OEM CFM56-7 North American service provider. Delta TechOps also is one of the largest CFM56 MRO providers with experience in hundreds of CFM56-3 and -7 overhauls.

Aeromexico has been active in the MRO industry since the mid-90’s, with an accumulated income of approximately $100 million. Aeromexico’s repair station is certified by the FAA and DGAC to perform maintenance on its fleet of Boeing 777, 767, 737NG and MD80 airplanes. It has two maintenance bases; one in Mexico City and a second one in Guadalajara, equipped to fully support aircraft airframes and their systems. In its shops, it is capable of repairing approximately 80 percent of the aircraft components and can overhaul MD80 APU’s and landing gears for all of the fleets.

Aeromexico serves more than 40 cities in Mexico, more than any other airline, and 14 gateway cities in the United States including Atlanta; Boston; Chicago; Houston; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Miami; New York City; Ontario, Calif.; Orlando; Phoenix; San Antonio; San Diego; and Tucson – and five countries in Europe and South America. Founded in 1988, Aeromexico has become the leading carrier in the region by maintaining the highest service levels, which have earned the airline numerous top rankings in the industry. The airline was the first Mexican carrier to introduce a frequent flyer program. Today, Aeromexico’s Club Premier program enjoys more than two million members. Aeromexico is a founding member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance, which provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. The airline’s corporate headquarters are in Mexico City and its U.S. operations are based in Houston.

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 flights to 452 destinations in 95 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.

*From the U.S., based on July 2006 OAG.



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