Delta too valuable to city for merger to fly

The following article was written by Shirley Franklin, Mayor of Atlanta and was published in the AJC Opinion page. She makes a great case for Delta remaining a stand alone carrier and also talks about Delta's tremendous value to the city of Atlanta.


By SHIRLEY FRANKLIN Published on: 12/04/06

Two weeks ago, US Airways proposed an $8 billion takeover of Delta Air Lines, despite the fact that Delta has previously rebuffed similar suggestions. Atlanta is a city that has gained international prominence due in part to the presence of the world's busiest airport — an airport in which Delta is the major player. As mayor of Atlanta, I strongly oppose the proposed merger. I support Delta's stated desire to remain autonomous as it emerges from bankruptcy. US Airways suggests it has a remedy for the issue of creating a monopoly. But higher consumer cost would not be the only problem of such a merger. Customer service might suffer as well. US Airways ranks far lower than Delta in practically every important customer service metric, including the overall JD Power customer service ratings.

Delta has a tradition and reputation of customer service from the heart for the past 77 years. This city, state and region, home to Delta's hub, could also suffer adverse affects from this merger because the headquarters could move out of Atlanta. Almost half of Delta's employees, 25,000 people, reside in Georgia. We could lose all the jobs related to supporting the business Delta brings to metro Atlanta, including hotels, restaurants, rental cars, and tourism. Delta's annual economic impact exceeds $12 billion and supports 70,000 jobs. Delta's incredible commitment to hometown civic and charitable causes in financial terms and in volunteerism make an indelible mark on our community. With the removal of Delta 's headquarters and the potential impact on Delta's hub, Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport would lose its crown jewel. The city, state and region would lose a valued presence that has helped shape all that we know and love about Atlanta.

Atlanta and Georgia gains tremendously with Delta's emergence from bankruptcy as a stand-alone airline serving the region, nation and the world's travelers. Join me in supporting Delta by letting your voice be heard in the media and in Congress.