Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan
By Amaka Eze
US carrier, Delta Airlines, has bought a refinery which would be refining its aviation fuel at a lower cost than what it was buying the product and hopes to save over $300 million (N45 billion) annually.
This is part of the airline’s ongoing investment of over $3 billion in enhanced global products, services and airport facilities.
Delta said with the procurement of the refinery, it would begin to produce its own aviation fuel, and reduce the bulk of airfare on its global customers. The airline has also introduced full flat-bed seats in its BusinessElite cabin onboard its daily service between Lagos and Atlanta.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, the Sales Manager West and East Africa for Delta Airlines, Mr. Bobby Bryan, said the Lagos-Atlanta route was an extremely important market for Delta and with its strong commercial links to the United States, so there was the need to motivate the customers.
“Delta Airlines is about our customers, and if we don’t keep our customers happy, then we are not doing our work. As we approach our fifth anniversary of service between Nigeria and the United States, we hope to continue responding to our customers’ needs by investing in our product offering with initiatives such as the full flat-bed and the roll out of Wi-Fi onboard next year,” he said.
Byran explained that the introduction of Wi-Fi on Delta operated flights between Nigeria and the U.S. would enable customers to stay connected throughout their journey, and run their businesses without stress. “The international service will use high-bandwidth Ku-band capacity satellites to provide global coverage,” he said.
He added that the BusinessElite passengers travelling to and from Lagos would also benefit from Delta’s protocol service at the airport which offers a personalised escort through every step of the airport experience.
“From checking in, security clearance and lounge pick-up, to arrival and baggage collection, Delta’s protocol service is offered in addition to SkyPriority; a series of priority airport services offered to premium passengers by SkyTeam airlines serving Lagos,” he said.
In addition, he said the airlines offers Economy Comfort on its Lagos flights providing over 400 seats per week.
“Customers flying in Economy Comfort benefit from up to four additional inches of legroom for 35 full inches of seat pitch and 50 percent more recline than Delta’s standard Economy class seat,” he said.