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SALT LAKE CITY — Travelers here can expect a new direct Delta flight to Miami this winter, potentially more direct flights into Latin America in coming years, larger commercial airplanes and a more streamlined and technologically advanced experience when Salt Lake City International Airport's $2.6 billion redevelopment project is completed, slated for 2020.
That's the forecast from the new CEO of one of the world's largest airlines who visited Salt Lake City this week, painting a rosy picture for future growth and partnership with Utah's international airport.
Ed Bastian, who succeeded now retired Richard H. Anderson, became Delta's CEO in May after nearly 20 years with the airline. As chief financial officer in 2004, Bastian left the company for six months, unhappy with the direction it was taking, only to be brought back under new leadership to help Delta bounce back from difficult financial times.
Now, Bastian says Salt Lake City's "hometown" airline is poised for a secure and exciting future, on course to continue expanding its role in Utah's economy.
In an interview with the Deseret News Tuesday, Bastian said he spoke to about 60 city, county and state leaders at a reception Monday night at the Grand America Hotel, affirming Delta's partnership with Utah's leaders and its presence as an employer of more than 6,000 in the Salt Lake region.
"Salt Lake's a real important hub for Delta," Bastian said, calling Utah's capital the "principal gateway to the mountain states."
Over the past five years, Delta has increased ticket sales at Salt Lake City's airport by 60 percent, Bastian said. In 2015, Delta flew more than 15 million passengers to or through Salt Lake City.
Overall, the Salt Lake airport transports about 22 million passengers each year.
Bastian attributed Delta's growth to increased international connections from the Salt Lake hub. In recent years, Delta has launched direct flights to London, Amsterdam and Paris from Salt Lake City.
"There's been a tremendous surge," he said. "We're very pleased with how everything is going."
Bastian said he met with Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski on Monday, and she updated him on the airport's redevelopment. Former Mayor Ralph Becker's administration initially launched the construction project in 2012, but Biskupski — who took the helm in January — is continuing to drive its progress, he said.
"This is going to be one of the most important projects this region executes in the next few years," Bastian said. "I'm confident we'll do a good job together. … There's a real alignment here between Delta and city officials, the county, the state — we're all focused on making this the best place to do business and the best airport to operate through in the mountain region."
Nancy Volmer, spokeswoman for the Salt Lake City International Airport, said airlines are contributing about $231.5 million in passenger and facility fees to Salt Lake's redevelopment project. Though Volmer did not know exactly how much of that is Delta money, she said it's a "substantial amount," since Delta flies the majority of Salt Lake City airport passengers.
Airport Director Maureen Riley said she's "absolutely confident" Delta will continue to be a strong partner under Bastian's leadership.
"Airport staff and Delta Air Lines have a long history of great teamwork and collaboration," Riley said. "We expect that to continue well into the future."
Once Salt Lake's new concourses are finished, Bastian said Delta will be "taking advantage of technology wherever we can" and condensing travel time between gates.
Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams, who attended Bastian's presentation Monday night, said "it's very clear" Delta has a "strong commitment to Utah and Salt Lake County."
"We hope for more direct international flights," McAdams said, commending Bastian's talk of expanding Salt Lake City's connections to Latin America.
Despite Delta filing for bankruptcy in 2005 — citing soaring fuel costs, low-fare competitors and the aftermath of 9/11 — Bastian said the airline is now well-positioned for a "very secure future."
"And we're investing for that future," he said, noting that Delta plans to invest $4 billion this year in its fleet, its "airport experience" and its technology.
Earlier this month, Delta canceled about 1,000 flights after an outage at Delta's Atlanta headquarters instigated a global meltdown of its booking and communications systems.
Bastian said the outage didn't represent "who we are as an airline," and he said Delta's reliable track record is expected to be at a much higher standard. He noted that as of Sunday, Delta hit a 17-day streak without having a single cancellation worldwide.
"No airline in history has ever done anything of that nature," he said. "We're going to keep building on that and make it even better."
