By HARRY R. WEBER - AP Airlines Writer - Associated Press
Monday, October 5, 2009
Delta Air Lines Inc. has reached a deal with the world's busiest airport to extend its lease agreement there through 2017, culminating sometimes testy negotiations between the two parties.
Terms of the deal between Atlanta-based Delta and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport were not disclosed Monday.
Earlier this year, Delta threatened to move some flights to other airports if it couldn't maintain competitive costs at the airport. AirTran Airways said it would consider doing the same if suitable new lease agreements couldn't be reached at Hartsfield-Jackson.
The two carriers represent roughly 93 percent of the traffic at the airport. AirTran said late Monday that it continues to talk with the city of Atlanta, which runs the airport, as part of its effort to reach a new lease agreement.