TOKYO: Delta Air Lines has announced plans for expanded nonstop service from Japan to two popular leisure destinations Honolulu and the Pacific island of Palau.

"Delta has been a leader in providing service from Japan to attractive beach resorts including Guam, Saipan and Hawaii for many years," said Jeffrey Bernier, Managing Director, Pacific Sales and Affairs. "Our new service to Honolulu and our proposed flight to Palau underscores our commitment to providing more travel options to our customers in Japan."

Nagoya - Honolulu

Delta will begin new daily service between Nagoya, Japan, and Honolulu on Dec. 22, subject to government approval. The flight will be operated with 216-seat Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, with 35 BusinessElite seats and 181 seats in Economy.

"Delta's new service provides more travel opportunities to our customers in the Chubu region," Bernier said. "Delta continues to be committed to the Chubu market and we will continue to work with Nagoya - Centrair International Airport, local government, businesses and industry partners to offer a broader portfolio to better meet the needs of the local market."

Delta's service between Nagoya and Honolulu will operate as follows:

The announcement highlights Delta's commitment to Centrair International Airport. Delta currently operates flights from Nagoya to Detroit, Guam, Saipan and Manila, as well as connecting flights to 10 U.S. gateways via Tokyo-Narita.

Tokyo - Palau

The airline also has filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requesting permission to start new nonstop service between its Tokyo-Narita hub and the Pacific island of Palau. The proposed flights would operate four-times weekly beginning in December 2010 and would be the only scheduled nonstop service between Japan and Palau.

"By adding Palau as a new resort destination, Delta will be able to enhance its commitment to the Japan market and broaden our network portfolio to better meet the demands of our customers," Bernier said.

Palau, an island nation in the Pacific Ocean that lies 500 miles (800 km) east of the Philippines and 2,000 miles (3,200 km) south of Tokyo, is a popular scuba diving destination. In addition to divers, the island has been attracting tourists interested in its well-preserved natural environment. Nearly 30,000 Japanese tourists visit Palau each year.

Delta is the No.1 U.S. airline operating in the Japan market. Delta operates nonstop flights from its Asian gateway at the Tokyo-Narita Airport to nine U.S. mainland gateways, three beach resorts – Hawaii, Guam, and Saipan -- and nine destinations in Asia. Delta also operates daily flights from Osaka's Kansai International Airport and Nagoya's Centrair Airport.

Delta also plans to begin operating nonstop service between Haneda Airport in central Tokyo and Detroit and Los Angeles, pending final approval by the U.S. DOT.

Delta Air Lines serves more than 160 million customers each year. With its unsurpassed global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 369 destinations in 67 countries on six continents. Delta employs more than 70,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of more than 700 aircraft. A founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance, Delta participates in the industry's leading trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France KLM. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 13,000 daily flights, with hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita. The airline's service includes the SkyMiles frequent flier program, the world's largest airline loyalty program; the award-winning BusinessElite service; and more than 45 Delta Sky Clubs in airports worldwide. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and review flight status at delta.com.