Delta Air Lines has confirmed plans to purchase nine Boeing MD-90s from Japan Air Lines (JAL).
A spokesman for the Atlanta-based carrier says deliveries of the aircraft are scheduled to start in 2012. News service Bloomberg first reported Delta's acquisition of the aircraft from JAL.
Delta in early 2010 concluded a deal with China Eastern Airlines to acquire nine MD-90s, and the aircraft were delivered from February through July of that year. Delta in its annual report says as of 31 December it operated 19 MD-90s.
The airline has long held a favourable opinion of the MD-90. Previously, Delta CEO Richard Anderson has cited the aircraft's superior economics, and commented that the capital costs of the aircraft are a small fraction of the cost of a new Boeing 737-800.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
