Delta's commitment to corporate sustainability has been recognized for a second straight year by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.
The Index has named Delta to its North American list of companies that have met its strict standards in the environmental, financial, social responsibility and overall corporate governance areas.
Delta is the only airline named among the top 20% of the 600 companies selected in the Dow Jones Global Total Stock Market Index, a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency on Saturday said in Accra.
Delta's achievements include: lowering its balance sheet debt to 10 billion dollars by 2013; exceeding fuel efficiency standards set by the International Air Transport Association by an average of 1.5 percent each year since 2009; offering an In-Flight Recycling program that has recycled more than 29,000 tonnes since it began; and contributing millions of dollars to charities such as the American Red Cross, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Habitat for Humanity.
In another development, Delta has opened its first international 360Ëš Lounge in London as part of the airline's sponsorship deal with Chelsea FC and is located within the four-star Millennium & Copthorne Hotels at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium.
Delta has exclusive use of the lounge for home games where it will host guests for pre-match hospitality.
Delta invitees receive airline-style tickets enabling them to 'check-in' at the lounge and learn more about the Delta / Chelsea FC tie up.
"The new 360°Lounge is our first outside the United States and is a great way to entertain our customers on at home games by bringing a taste of Delta's service from the sky to the stadium," said Perry Cantarutti, Delta's senior vice president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
An LED-lit 'runway' leads to a dedicated entrance to the lounge where inside the 108 square metre space features a full-service bar and dining area.
The lounge is expected to attract up to 250,000 visitors each year and joins a number of similar dedicated venues that Delta has opened at the home of U.S. sports teams it sponsors.