AirTraveler

Atlanta-based carrier deploys widebody jets for seasonal Ghana route as legacy airlines test African markets with flexible scheduling strategies. Delta Air Lines will resume flights between Atlanta and Accra on December 1, marking the carrier's return to Ghana's capital after a 13-year hiatus and doubling its service to the West African nation. The SkyTeam member will operate daily service using 281-seat Airbus A330-900 aircraft through January 15, scheduling 46 round-trip flights to capture holiday travel demand between the United States and Ghana. The seasonal route covers 4,935 nautical miles each way. Delta last served the Atlanta-Accra market in 2012, operating A330-200 and 767-300ER aircraft with frequencies ranging from twice weekly to four times per week, according to Cirium data. The carrier's previous operation achieved an average seat load factor of 79%, with winter months showing stronger performance, Transportation Department figures show. The temporary Atlanta service will expand one-stop connections for dozens of U.S. cities while relieving capacity pressure on Delta's year-round New York JFK-Accra flights during peak season. Booking data indicates New York accounts for 30% of total North American traffic to Accra. Outbound flights will depart Atlanta at 5:55 p.m., arriving in Accra at 9:25 a.m. the following day after 10 hours, 30 minutes. Return flights leave Accra at 11:35 a.m., landing in Atlanta at 7:25 p.m. after 12 hours, 50 minutes. The Atlanta route addition comes as North American carriers reshape their African networks. Delta recently launched the first Atlanta-Marrakech service, while United Airlines plans to end its Washington Dulles-Dakar route after less than a year of operation. Air Transat has announced new service from Canada to Accra and routes from Montreal to Dakar and Agadir. Delta will operate eight African routes between December 2025 and January 2026, up from six routes during the same period last year and five in December 2019-January 2020. The carrier's African network now includes Atlanta service to Accra, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Lagos and Marrakech, plus JFK flights to Accra, Dakar and Lagos. The expansion positions Delta as the leading carrier between North America and Africa with up to 50 weekly departures, representing one-third of the market. The airline's African frequencies have increased from 36 weekly flights a year earlier, with its market share rising from 25%. Ethiopian Airlines, United Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, EgyptAir, Air Canada, Kenya Airways, Air Algérie, Tunisair and Air Transat also operate North America-Africa service. Royal Air Maroc and EgyptAir have indicated plans to expand their U.S. networks in 2026. Key Takeaways Delta Air Lines resumes Atlanta-Accra flights December 1 after 13-year absence, operating daily through January 15 with A330-900 aircraft. Seasonal service adds 46 round-trips to meet holiday demand, expanding Delta's African routes to eight destinations. Atlanta-based carrier now operates 50 weekly African departures, capturing one-third market share between North America and Africa. Legacy carriers increasingly deploy flexible scheduling to test thin routes before committing to year-round service. North American airlines reshaping African networks as United exits Dakar while Delta and Air Transat expand West African service.

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