McDonnell Douglas (MDC) is to deliver the first MD-90-30 to launch customer Delta Airlines on 24 February, for service entry in early April.
Steve Atkins, MDC twinjet-programmes general manager, says that the goal is to have "98.4% dispatch reliability" within the first six months of service.
Delta will start operations with three aircraft, the last two of which will be delivered from MDC's Long Beach, California, factory in March. The second MD-90 test aircraft T-2 underwent refurbishment for delivery, as a Delta aircraft on 2 December 1994 and in April, will be fourth to be delivered.
Delta will take delivery of 11 twinjets this year and has confirmed orders for 31 aircraft.
Source: Flight International
