Delta Air Lines Adds Staff To Manage Rush & Ensure Security

In a customer-friendly move, Atlanta, GA-based Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) announced that it is investing up to $4 million to boost its workforce for better management of 32 select airports in the country this summer. The airports in question include the likes of Jackson Atlanta International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport and the Los Angeles International Airport -- some of the busiest in the U.S.

We remind investors that earlier in May, Airlines for America (“A4A”) – the largest airline trade association in the U.S. – had predicted that the June-August period will be the busiest of all times for American carriers. According to the forecast, approximately 231.1 million passengers will be flying by various U.S. carriers in the three months under consideration. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been called on to avoid long queues at airports through proper management.

In view of the anticipated surge in demand, Delta’s has stepped up its staff count to ensure that fliers do not face undue harassments in airports. In fact, the carrier has shelled out approximately $1 million toward research, development and implementation of two new checkpoint lanes at the Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The lanes are in operation now.

This move comes as a necessary one in the wake of the frequent terror attacks that have been disrupting airline operations. The Paris attacks were followed by the terror attacks at the Brussels airport and the Maelbeek metro station in central Brussels. To make matters worse, the EgyptAir jet crash, which claimed 66 lives, may also be a consequence of a terror attack. In fact, Delta’s passengers were among the victims of the explosions in the departure area at Brussels' Zaventem Airport on Mar 22. No wonder, Delta has teamed up with the TSA to ensure tighter security at the airports.

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

Delta Air Lines currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Better-ranked stocks in the airline space include SkyWest, Inc. (NASDAQ:SKYW) , Air France-KLM SA (OTC:AFLYY) and GOL Linhas (NYSE:GOL) . SkyWest and Air France sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) while GOL Linhas carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).