We're Happy with Nigerian Market Despite Challenges - Delta

One of the world’s largest airlines, Delta, has stated that it is happy with the Nigerian market, despite the myriads of challenges. This was made known by the airline's Director of Sales, Middle East, Africa and India, Paul Hassenstab, during an exclusive roundtable breakfast meeting with the media in Lagos on Thursday.

"Our strategy has been working for us even with ups and downs in the market. If you look at the footprint we have in West Africa, this has been a great relationship and it brings value to Nigerians from the commercial side of it and it is a good one between the two countries and we see a lot of traffic, the successes we have and a lot of support we have in the market."

Paul Hassenstab, who was on an official 2-day working visit to Nigeria, was bullish about Delta’s future, not only in the Nigerian market, but also in the entire African market. He reiterated Delta’s commitment to Nigeria especially with respect to the airline’s Corporate Social Responsibility program in Nigeria.

"Our entire ground team here including Nigerian nationals are doing a tremendous job. We also have dedicated airport services for our dedicated passengers and take them through Immigration. We are also involved in community engagement and that is at the centre of what we do.

"We have done some great work here and achievements with Junior Achievement with breast cancer awareness and working with many organizations that are important to Nigeria. We are very much committed to that. When you think of Delta, we are commercially thinking of what we can offer. We are investing 1% back into the community. In Nigeria, people have been very kind and I am very happy to have this conversation."

According to Paul, Delta had to make a few changes recently to its revenue collection system, including selling tickets in Nigeria now only in US Dollars. The decision is not unconnected to the persistent foreign exchange crisis which has made it difficult for foreign airlines to repatriate their funds. "Today, we are selling in USD only. We have accepted Naira in the past but because of Forex issues, we are accepting only USD."

Responding to a question about how Delta’s operations will be affected by the anticipated launch of services to New York and Houston by Nigerian airlines, Paul said that more airlines are welcome on routes between Nigeria and the US. "We don’t fear competition. Competition makes us better. They make people better." Paul said.

With over 900 aircraft, Delta is the second largest airline in the United States of America, by fleet size. Headquartered in Atlanta, it operates over 4,000 daily flights to more than 280 destinations across six continents. Delta served more than 190 million customers in 2023.

It'll be recalled that Delta began flying between Atlanta and Lagos on 4 December, 2007. The service currently operates daily using an Airbus A330-200. Delta currently flies to five destinations in Africa, including Accra, Dakar, Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Lagos.

To book your flights, visit www.delta.com.