The Chief Executive Officer of Delta Airlines, Richard Anderson, said he envisions developing an international hub in Shanghai in order to build on a growing relationship with China Eastern Airlines Corp. In a recorded message, Anderson told employees:
“When you think about what our strategy is long-term, we need to have a hub in Shanghai like the one in Amsterdam.”
His comments supported the importance that the airline is placing on expanding into China, where it has already added service to Shanghai and has a partnership with China Eastern. A hub there modeled on operations at the Schipol Airport in Amsterdam would allow Delta to collect domestic passengers around China and take them to US destinations. The airline will commence a daily LA to Shanghai route later on in the year on top of service to there from Seattle and Detroit. Recently, Delta became the first US airline to accept payments from China’s Alipay which is similar to Paypal. It is also co-locating with China Eastern within the Shanghai airport.
“As we plan for our long term future, it becomes more clear everyday that China will be a major part for our business.” Anderson continued in the message.
