World largest carrier, Delta Airlines, will on June 11 commence the first non-stop scheduled commercial flights between Abuja and New York City.

A statement by the airline’s spokesman in Nigeria, Mr. Tope Awe, on Monday, said that the direct flight would operate from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to the John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, via Dakar, Senegal.

It said, “The flight, which starts twice weekly and moves to three times weekly in July, would be the only direct service from Nigeria’s capital city to the United States and would offer passengers convenient connections via Delta’s New York JFK hub to around 50 business.”

It quoted the Commercial Manager, West and East Africa, Mr. Bobby Bryan, as saying that the development was part of the airline’s plans to increase capacity in Nigeria and other parts of the continent.

Bryan also said that due to increase in passengers’ traffic, the airline would be changing the Boeing 767 aircraft on the Lagos route to Boeing 777-200ER effective July 2.

He said, “Delta will increase the capacity on its Lagos to Atlanta flight and operate a Boeing 777-200ER aircraft effective July 2.

“The flight would operate a two class configuration offering Delta’s business and economy class service and would seat up to 268 passengers.

According to Bryan, the B777 would give additional capacity of over 50 passenger seats, estimated to be 20 per cent increase and larger baggage and cargo space, saying, such would reduce incidence of baggage delay and as well serve the growing cargo demand on the route.

He said, “We are delighted to add Abuja to our industry-leading Africa network. Our Abuja service would be the second city Delta serves in Nigeria and would further strengthen commercial ties and opportunities between Nigeria and the United States.

“We have already seen a high demand for our non-stop service between Lagos and Atlanta and, as a result, will upgrade our equipment serving that route to a B777-200 aircraft this summer.”

According to the airline, flights to Abuja and New York via Dakar would operate with a Boeing 757-200 ETOPS

“The new Abuja service would be in a two class configuration with up to 174 seats, 16 in Delta’s award, winning Business Elite class and 158 seats in economy.

“Customers flying Delta’s BusinessElite service would experience food offerings from celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein, original wine selections chosen by Delta’s Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson and a wide range of in-flight entertainment options with Delta’s on Demand entertainment system.” he added.