At a time when global recession hit hard and fear of swine flu have compelled people to cut down on traveling, DAL (Delta Air Lines Inc.) declared that it would make deep cuts to its international flight schedule this autumn in order to reduce losses and eventually to force ticket price to go higher.

Delta's Chief Executive Richard Anderson and President Ed Bastian informed that the company in September will hack international flights by 15 percent which will include a 20 percent cutback on transatlantic routes which will shrink the overall system by 10 percent in the present year.

Worsening economic conditions have forced Delta to suspend its service to Shanghai, Seoul and Mumbai.

Metro Atlanta Chamber President Sam Williams said, "We've had a setback because of global economic conditions, and a little more of a setback with Delta's challenges to be profitable." Williams further added that he anticipated the suspended flights to be recommenced once the economic conditions improve.

It should be noted here that Delta expects a revenue loss of $125 million to $150 million in the second quarter.

On the other hand, Delta assured that the recession won't alter the airline's plans to merge airport operations and by 2012, Delta would be able to reap merger profit worth $2 billion per year.