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Delta defends empty-aircraft flights
Tuesday, September 08, 2009 Delta Air Lines has admitted flying empty aircraft across the Atlantic, but said it had no option because of Australian health regulations. Revelations that the US carrier's jets were clocking up thousands of miles on a round trip to the UK had enraged environmentalists. The company sent a number of aircraft – used on its Los Angles-Sydney route – to Heathrow to be sprayed with insecticide. The Boeing 777s had been to countries where malaria and dengue fever were prevalent and the Australian government insists aircraft are sprayed before landing in the country. Delta claimed it had no option but to fly its aircraft to London because of US regulations. A spokeswoman said: “The Australian Quarantine & Inspection Service requires all aircraft operating to and from Australia are treated with insecticide by certified technicians at airports around the world. "Materials used for this process are approved and available for use in the United States. However, according to US regulations, these treatments must be carried out at designated AQIS locations outside the United States.” John Stewart of anti-airport expansion pressure group Hacan Clear Skies was reported as saying: "The aviation industry is dirty because of aircraft emissions, but this must be the dirty end of the dirty industry." • Delta unveils flatbed for business cabin (26 Aug 2009) • Delta and Virgin Blue plan joint venture (10 Jul 2009) • Air France-KLM starts joint venture with Delta (20 May 2009)
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