Delta Air Lines is offering some of its idled passenger aircraft to the cargo charter market, as it seeks new revenue sources after pulling down flights because of plummeting travel demand.
Delta said last week that it is cutting about 40% of its flights over the next few months, joining an array of airlines that are pulling back operations as governments restrict travel and customer demand falls amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The steep decline in passenger flights has reduced the capacity in aircraft bellies that freight-shipping companies use to move goods around the world. The squeeze on flights has pushed more shipments freighter operators but industry executives say those carriers have limited capability to handle the goods and that airfreight rates have been soaring as a result.
The airline said that it will make available jets at 13 U.S. airports and 70 sites outside the country “to provide the support our customers need during this unprecedented business environment.”
Source: Delta Air Lines
