Delta Airlines' customers within the energy and mining sectors in Ghana can now enjoy a broad array of benefits following the launch of an initiative by the US global airline.

Perry Cantarutti, Senior Vice President of Delta Air Line for Middle East and Africa told journalists in Accra on Wednesday that the 2011 most admired airline, had opened up an Energy and Mining Desk for customers in Ghana.

The desk, he said, would offer a wide range of benefits including discounts on business class and some economy class fares, complimentary protocol by Delta service at the Accra Kotoka International Airport and business elite passengers and a dedicated phone line service.

The establishment of the desks would be replicated in other countries, he indicated.

In a brief statement on the launch of the desk, Bobby Bryan, Delta’s commercial manager for West and East Africa, said: “This new initiative demonstrates Delta’s strong and continued commitment to the Ghanaian market.”

The new service adds a personal escort for Delta customers through check-in, customs and immigration, as well as lounge pick up and luggage assistance.

On Delta’s presence in Ghana, Mr Cantarutti sees the country as potential destination for growth, noting that the company is committed to the market place to further improve its intra-Africa network.

He said Delta achieved solid results in 2011 in Ghana despite challenges such as increase in fuel prices, economic weakness in the world two largest economies, and war and unrest in the Middle East.

According to him, the company made $1.2 billion net profit, fully recovered from the fuel price increase, adjusted its net debt with a reduction of $4.1 billion. It’s return on invested capital.

Mr Cantarutti said the airline carried nearly 500,000 passengers between Accra and US and nearly 3.5 million kgs of cargo in 2011.

For Delta’s future investment plans in Africa, the company hopes to develop a Global Position Satellite (GPS) in Liberian airspace, rolls out an energy and mining desk, deepens partnership with Air Nigeria and consolidate its footprint in Africa.**