Delta plans to add flights once more long-haul Airbus A350 aircraft join its fleet. Photo: Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines is to launch direct flights between Melbourne and Los Angeles late this year in a move welcomed by the state government.
The new service will initially operate three times per week from early December but there are plans for growth as more long-haul A350 aircraft join Delta’s fleet.
Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus says the deal means an extra 86,000 seats between Victoria and the US.
Deputy Premier Ben Caroll says that “more flights mean greater opportunities” for Victorian tourism, trade and business in Victoria.
“This landmark deal will make it easier and more affordable for Victorians to travel to the US while bringing thousands of international visitors to explore our state,” he says.
Tourism Minister Steve Dimopoulos describes the decision as “a win for the state”.
The government expects the flights to attract outdoors-loving tourists from the US and Canada in particular.
The US is Victoria’s fourth largest international market for tourists, according to government.
The state attracted more than 200,000 people in the year ending September 2024 who spent about $358 million while they were in the state.
Argus says that North America remains “an incredibly important inbound market” for the airport as well.
EXTRA CAPACITY
“Delta’s flights will help restore capacity on the Los Angeles route back to where it was before the Covid-19 pandemic and the arrival of a new carrier on the Pacific route will also make it easier for Victorian businesses to connect with a key trading partner,” she says.
“The arrival of a new carrier on the route will also make it easier for Victorian businesses to connect with one of our key trading partners and families wanting to travel to Disneyland or North American ski fields,” Argus says.
“The additional cargo capacity will enable more high-value Victorian exports to travel directly to North America without the expense of a transit through Sydney.”
The government says for the year ending June 2024, $2.4 billion worth of goods was air freighted between Victoria and North America.
It also says the new flights will make it easier for corporate groups to hold conferences in the state.
No specific date was given for the start of the services which will land and take-off at the airport on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays mornings.
