Delta cancels inaugural flight over security concerns

Jun 07, 2009

DELTA Airlines has canceled the inaugural direct flights from Nairobi and Monrovia to the US pending more safety measures.

By David Mugabe

DELTA Airlines has canceled the inaugural direct flights from Nairobi and Monrovia to the US pending more safety measures.

This follows a notification from America’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that the transportation security administration would require more time to approve Delta’s planned direct flights to Nairobi, Kenya and Monrovia, Liberia.

“The airline is proactively contacting customers to re-accommodate them on long-established connecting flights offered by our joint venture partners Air France-KLM and other SkyTeam member airlines, which carry Americans to these destinations in Africa through their European hubs,” said the airline in a statement.

Delta was informed last week by the DHS that it would require additional time to approve these new flights.

Delta Airlines, the world’s largest airline, was scheduled to make its maiden flight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport via Dakar, Senegal to Atlanta, in the US on June 3.

If the flights commence, Delta will transport key products like fresh cut flowers, handicrafts, tea and coffee, fresh fish and vegetables and personal effects.

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