Delta Adjusting International Routes It Serves

HARRY R. WEBER

ATLANTA (AP) — Delta Air Lines Inc. is adjusting the international routes it serves, number of flights it offers and the size of planes it uses for next summer as it seeks to return to profitability.

The world's biggest airline operator released details Tuesday about its international flight schedule for summer 2010. It said new and expanded nonstop routes will be focused on trans-Pacific, trans-Atlantic and Africa flights.

Atlanta-based Delta didn't give capacity guidance for next year, but it did say that many of the international service reductions it announced in June would stand.

Delta reports third-quarter financial results on Thursday.

The airline previously said it would cut international capacity by 15 percent starting in September. Capacity is measured by available seats times miles flown.

Its acquisition last year of Northwest Airlines gave Delta more capability to shift larger planes onto more profitable routes and use smaller planes on less profitable routes. Delta's joint venture with Air France-KLM also allows it the flexibility to serve its passengers using the foreign carrier's infrastructure.