Rab’s World

One of America’s leading carriers, Delta Airlines has announced plans to expand its services to Africa with the introduction of the first and only flight between Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport [Atlanta, GA Metro area] in the United States and Roberts International Airport in Liberia

The service, which will make a stop in Amilcar Cabral International Airport on Sal Island in Cape Verde, will start in June next year (2009).

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf made the disclosure on October 23rd in an interview with local journalists upon arrival at the Spriggs-Payne Airport following a five-day visit to the United States at the invitation of President George Bush.

The President said she was excited about Delta’s decision to provide direct flight service to Liberia and spoke of the opportunity for continued economic growth with U.S. companies doing business in Liberia. Welcoming the new initiative, the President said Delta Airlines is providing a means to bring business into the country. “This development also provides convenience for Liberians in the Diaspora to come home and to bring their skills and talents in support of the country’s development,” an Executive Mansion release quotes the President as saying, during a formal announcement Wednesday in Washington.

Delta’s Executive Vice President for Network and Revenue Management, Glen Hauenstein said the company was pleased to add Monrovia to its industry-leading Africa network. He disclosed that passenger traffic to and from Africa continues to grow at some of the highest rates in the world. “We have been very pleased with the response of our flights to Africa and look forward to serving Liberia and contributing to its trade and tourism development efforts,” said the Delta official.

The Founder and chairman of the RLJ Companies, Bob Johnson, who is making significant investment in Liberia, also applauded Delta Airlines for making the commitment to provide direct air service to Liberia. The service, Mr. Johnson said, will provide economic growth opportunities to Liberia from a variety of business sectors around the world.

The Black American billionaire recently committed to mobilizing funds through a recent $100-million finance protocol with the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) to build housing, as well as to build an 84-room villa style hotel now under construction on the Robertsfield-Monrovia highway. The hotel is scheduled to be completed next year.

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    FLIGHT              DEPARTS**                   ARRIVES**
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 DL 214        Atlanta                     Sal Island, Cape Verde
               at 3:10 p.m.                at 2:15 a.m.
 ------------- --------------------------- --------------------------
 DL 214        Sal Island, Cape Verde      Monrovia, Liberia
               at 3:20 a.m.                at 7:05 a.m.
 ------------- --------------------------- --------------------------
 DL 215        Monrovia, Liberia           Sal Island, Cape Verde
               at 8:10 a.m.                at 9:55 a.m.
 ------------- --------------------------- --------------------------
 DL 215        Sal Island, Cape Verde      Atlanta
               at 11:25 a.m.               at 5:15 p.m.
 ------------- --------------------------- --------------------------

Currently, Delta Airlines offers service between the United States and six African destinations with flights between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Accra, Ghana; Dakar, Senegal, Cairo, Egypt, and Cape Town in South Africa (via Dakar) and between Atlanta and Lagos, Nigeria, and Johannesburg, South Africa (via Dakar).

Summary:

JFK - Accra, Ghana - four times a week

JFK - Lagos, Nigeria

ATL- Dakar, Sénégal - seven times a week

JFK - Cairo, Egypt - five times a week

ATL - CapeTown, South Africa - four times week

ATL - Johannesburgh, South Africa -

ATL - Lagos, Nigeria

2009 - ATL - Monrovia Liberia

2009 ATL - Sal, Cabo Verde

Plans to go to Nairobi, Kenya in 2009 are waiting for government approval on both sides.