Black Meetings and Tourism

104 Black Meetings & Tourism February/March 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com BY SOLOMON J. HERBERT, JR. DELTA RINGS IN NEW YEAR WITH FARE SALE FOR CUSTOMERS IN NEARLY 300 U.S. CITIES Delta Air Lines, (NYSE:DAL) is inviting customers from coast to coast to enjoy special low fares for travel this winter and spring. The airline has launched fare sales in nearly 300 U.S. cities across the United States and Canada, including flights from its hubs in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Memphis, New York and Salt Lake City. Tickets at the special sale prices are available at delta.com, nwa.com or other ticketing channels. Delta's special fares include service operated by Delta and its wholly owned subsidiary, Northwest Airlines. Sample fares for travel through March 4, 2009 are available and discounted fares for travel on these and other routes also are available through April 30, though rates for travel beyond March 4 could be higher. Delta's lowest fare guarantee and fee-free ticketing are available at delta.com and nwa.com. CALIFORNIA CARRIER INTRODUCES FRESH NEW MENU VIA TOUCH-SCREEN SEATBACK FOOD ORDERING SYSTEM Virgin America, the only U.S. carrier with a touch-screen seatback food ordering system, recently unveiled a new menu with a variety of healthy and fresh meal options. All menu items are complimentary in First Class and Main Cabin Select and are available for purchase in the Main Cabin. "As California's only hometown airline, we are inspired by our locale to provide fresh and healthy options for our guests," said Virgin America senior vice president of People, In-Flight and Guest Services Frances Fiorillo. "California cuisine is as much a part of our DNA as technological innovation, and we're proud to marry the two by delivering more fresh meal and snack options than any other domestic carrier – at any time throughout a flight via a touch of the seatback Red® screens." Virgin America is the only U.S. airline to offer a "food button," allowing guests the freedom and convenience to order what- ever they want to eat or drink during a flight – either with a touch of the Red® video touch-screen at every seat or through the handheld remote control in every armrest. Virgin America offers six meal options in the Main Cabin available for pur- chase via the Red® Inflight Entertainment system, with a focus on locally-produced foods. For fares and reservations go online to www.virginamerica.com. OMA REPORTS 2008 PASSENGER TRAFFIC Traffic during 2008 was affected by changes in the business strategies of domestic and international airlines in response to increases in fuel costs and a high level of competition during the first half of the year (reorganization of routes, postponement of expansion plans and acquisition of new airplanes, and fare increases) and in the second half of the year by the effects of the global financial crisis. OMA's full year traffic results reflect year over year increases for the first six months of 2008, followed by year over year reductions in the second six months. Full year traffic was in the range estimated by OMA in October 2008. Domestic traffic in December 2008 decreased 13.0% (-131,448 passengers), compared to the prior year period. Traffic decreased at 12 airports, with only Zacatecas reporting an increase. For the full year 2008, domestic traffic decreased 0.1% (- 7,710 passengers). Five airports reported traffic increases for the full year, and eight airports had decreases. Domestic traffic was affected by the cancellation of frequencies and/or routes by Aviacsa and VivaAerobus and the suspension of operations during the course of the year by Aerocalifornia, Aladia, Alma, and Avolar. These reductions were partially offset by increased activity on the part of Volaris, Interjet, and Click Mexicana.

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