This story is part of GlobalAtlanta's World Cup Special Report

Delta Air Lines Inc. has temporarily added a second nonstop flight this summer from Atlanta to Johannesburg to deal with increased travel demand during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The world's largest soccer tournament began June 11 and lasts a month. Delta started the additional flight on June 9 and will operate it intermittently on 17 days through Aug. 22.

Delta began flying to Johannesburg in 2006 with a Boeing 767 aircraft that required a stop in Dakar, Senegal, in both directions. As Delta built up a fleet of long-range Boeing 777s, the airline was able to upgrade the route to nonstop service with flat-bed seats in business class.

"Delta's route between Atlanta and Johannesburg has consistently been one of our most successful thanks to the extraordinary demand for nonstop service to South Africa," said Delta spokesman Kent Landers.

Delta is the only U.S. carrier to offer year-round nonstop service to Johannesburg, Mr. Landers added.

As for its World Cup traffic prospects, the Atlanta-based carrier is confident.

"Flights are very full throughout the summer to Johannesburg based on the extremely high demand," Mr. Landers told GlobalAtlanta.

World Cup matches are being held in nine cities throughout South Africa. Cape Town will host eight contests, all the way up to the semifinals. Last June Delta canceled a one-stop flight from Atlanta to the picturesque city on South Africa's western coast.

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