ATLANTA, Sept. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Delta Air Lines' (NYSE: DAL) maintenance division, Delta TechOps, today announced it has penned a one-year contract with Latin American leading airline, LAN Airlines to install winglets and provide airframe maintenance services on some of LAN's Boeing 767 fleet.
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Winglets, which are wing-tip extensions designed to reduce aircraft drag and alter airflow, will help LAN with fuel efficiency. Underscoring LAN's commitment to the environment, the winglets will reduce fuel usage by approximately 450,000 gallons per year and decrease CO2 emissions for each aircraft by five percent.
"We are the world's largest operator of Boeing 767s, so it stands to reason that our technicians have a great deal of knowledge and expertise with this fleet," said Tony Charaf, president of Delta TechOps. "This partnership helps further establish Delta TechOps as an industry leader for Boeing 767 winglet installations."
"We are incorporating the most modern technology available in the industry to create the most efficient operational systems that significantly contribute to the preservation of the environment," said Enrique Elsaca, LAN Airlines senior vice president of Operations. "For LAN, the winglet program is a key initiative, and we are confident that Delta will provide an outstanding result and achieve the committed timeframes."
About LAN
LAN Airlines is one of the leading passenger and cargo airlines in Latin America. The company and its affiliates serve over 65 destinations around the world through an extensive network that offers full connectivity within Latin America, while also linking the region with North America, Europe and the South Pacific, as well as 63 additional international destinations through its various alliances. LAN Airlines and its affiliates have a leading position in their respective domestic markets of Chile and Peru, an important presence in the Argentinean domestic market and recently begun domestic operations in Ecuador.
Currently, LAN Airlines and its affiliates operate one of the most modern fleets in the world, with 84 passenger aircraft, and its cargo subsidiary, LAN CARGO and its respective cargo affiliates, have a fleet of 11 freighters. The company recently completed its short haul fleet renovation process by acquiring new aircraft from the Airbus A320 family, enabling LAN to improve its efficiency and to reduce significantly its CO2 emissions. The fleet renovation is part of the company's commitment to the protection of the environment.
LAN is one of the few Investment Grade airlines in the world (BBB). The company's world class quality standards enabled its membership in oneworld™, the global alliance that encompasses the best airlines in the world. For more information please visit www.lan.com or www.oneworldalliance.com.
About Delta TechOps
Delta TechOps is the largest airline maintenance, repair and overhaul provider in North America, generating more than $500 million in revenue in 2008. In addition to providing maintenance and engineering support for Delta's fleet of more than 750 aircraft, Delta TechOps serves more than 150 other aviation and airline customers around the world, specializing in high-skill work like engines, components, hangar and line maintenance. Delta TechOps employs more than 8,500 maintenance professionals and is one of the world's most experienced providers with more than seven decades of aviation expertise. More about Delta TechOps is available at deltatechops.com.
SOURCE Delta Air Lines
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SOURCE: Delta Air Lines
Web site: http://www.deltatechops.com/
