Delta Air Lines will continue to deploy the B777-200ER on its Tokyo Narita to Singapore service, instead of replacing it with the B767-300ER as originally planned.
The move is significant, as the US carrier appears to be downsizing most of its Asian operations out of Japan.
Delta will cut its existing Narita to Hong Kong service from October 26 and its Nagoya to Manila service will also be cancelled.
The change of plan on the Narita to Singapore service therefore indicates that the route is important for passengers connecting with the US.
The airline will also replace the existing B747-400 aircraft serving its routes from Narita to Bangkok and Taipei with the smaller A330-300.
With an ageing fleet that consists of 16 B747s, Delta is looking to gradually replace the jumbo jet with newer more fuel-efficient options. Four of its B747s are due to be retired by the end of the year.
The US carrier currently serves the Tokyo Narita to Singapore route with a single daily service. Flight DL167 departs Narita at 1755 and arrives in Singapore the following day at 0040, while return service DL166 takes-off from Changi at 0655, and lands in Japan at 1430.
Last month, Delta announced that it will operate a daily service between Amsterdam and Salt Lake City next summer (see news, August 1).
Clement Huang
