Delta Air Lines Inc. is mulling a partnership with a Nigerian airline that could result in joint marketing efforts between the two carriers as they seek to build business in Africa‘s most populous nation.
Delta, the only U.S. carrier currently flying directly to Africa, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Nigerian Eagle Airlines, a domestic carrier operating out of Lagos.
Both sides have committed to exploring commercial collaboration.
Delta and Nigerian Eagle are considering allowing their customers mutual access to frequent-flyer programs. Delta would also allow the the carrier to use its code on a Delta-operated flight from the capital city of Abuja, Nigeria, to New York‘s John F. Kennedy International Airport, according to a Delta news release.
Code-sharing allows airlines to market and sell tickets under their own banner for flights operated by their partners. Such agreements are subject to government approvals.
“We are delighted to be exploring a closer relationship with Nigerian Eagle, which will greatly benefit customers in Nigeria,” said Bobby Bryan, Delta’s commercial manager in West and East Africa, in a statement. ”A marketing relationship would provide Delta and Nigerian Eagle customers with additional travel and freight opportunities.”
Delta currently flies from New York to Abuja and to Accra, Ghana. From Atlanta, the world’s largest airline currently has routes to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Lagos, according to a route map on the Delta Web site.
The airline announced on Oct. 20 that it plans to launch an Atlanta-Accra flight June 1.
For more information, visit www.delta.com.
