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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Delta Air Lines is celebrating its 60th anniversary of uninterrupted service in Puerto Rico, highlighting the key role the island plays in the continued growth and development of the company's Latin American network and in the New York market.

"Delta is part of Puerto Rico and its history," said Nicolas Ferri, Delta's vice president— Latin America and the Caribbean. "Our commitment to the economic development of the island has withstood the test of time and we continue to respond and adapt to Puerto Ricans' travel needs as well as to the demands of the business and tourism sectors with increased services and capacity to this key market."

Ferri said Delta's commitment to Puerto Rico is as strong as ever as the airline works to become the best airline in Latin America and the Caribbean. Puerto Rico also plays a vital role in Delta's success in the New York market, home to nearly 900,000 people of Puerto Rican descent, a full 27 percent of the Latino population living there.

"It is crucial that we meet the travel needs of Puerto Ricans both in the mainland and in the island both for business as well as leisure," said Gail Grimmett, Delta's senior vice president - New York and guest speaker at the anniversary celebration. "Because Puerto Rico is crucial to New York's success we are diligently working to meet our customers' expectations by offering increased connectivity, enhanced on-board services and state-of-the-art technology applied to travel."

In May 2012, Delta tripled the number of flights it operates between John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and San Juan. This summer, a fourth daily flight between JFK and San Juan will further expand options for Delta's customers. In May, customers will enjoy the benefits of the $1.4 billion expansion and enhancement of Terminal 4 at JFK. The new terminal will provide increased international access to customers from Puerto Rico traveling to New York and will offer a state of the art facility to those traveling to the island.

Delta's expanded San Juan-JFK service means increased connectivity to New York and 31 international destinations.

Delta also connects Puerto Rico to its Atlanta hub with 21 to 35 weekly frequencies depending on seasonality. From Atlanta, Puerto Ricans have access to the more than 1,000 daily flights to 208 destinations that Delta operates, including nonstop service to 65 international destinations.

Delta hosted its anniversary celebration to share this milestone with its local governmental authorities, high-value customers, travel agents and other members of the local travel industry. Delta recognized travel agencies with top sales in 2012 during the event.

"Delta has been part of the life of Puerto Ricans since 1953. Our planes have transported intellectuals, politicians, musicians, artists, sports figures, tourists and the business people that fuel the Island's economic development," said James Sarvis, Delta's vice president of airport customer service, stations. "We are proud of being here for hundreds of thousands of Puerto Rican families who trust Delta to bring them to their business and pleasure destinations."

Six decades ago Delta started services to Puerto Rico on January 10, 1953, when a Lockheed Constellation plane took off from Memphis bound for San Juan.

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