Delta passengers not too concerned about carrier's status

<p>In the bustling concourses of Delta Air Lines' main hub, passengers promised to keep flying with the airline as long as its new bankruptcy status doesn't affect its fares or service.</p><p>While filing for Chapter 11 protection Wednesday, Delta stressed that its passengers would not see any immediate changes. Delta also promised to honor all tickets and sent a letter to frequent-flier customers seeking to reassure them.</p><p>Passengers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport _ which has grown into the world's busiest airport thanks to Delta _ didn't seem too concerned about the airline's bankruptcy filing. They said they didn't believe it would affect their travel plans.</p><p>"It wouldn't matter as long as they don't go up on any prices or leave me stranded," said Anthony Wynn, a 35-year-old truck driver from Atlanta who was at the airport to catch a flight to Bogota, Colombia, to see his girlfriend.</p><p>Passenger Marina Majeski of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was surprised that Delta's financial problems had actually landed her favorite airline in bankruptcy court.</p><p>"Delta has been a very nice airline to fly with. I've never had any problems. They're always on time," said Majeski, an optician headed Wednesday to an optometry convention in Las Vegas.</p><p>Loyalty to Delta is strong in the Southeast, particularly in Georgia. The company moved its headquarters from Louisiana to Atlanta in 1941 and grew over the years into one of the nation's largest carriers. Around half of the company's 63,000-plus employees work in the Atlanta area, making it one of Georgia's largest employers.</p><p>"I'm confident that Delta will remain a vital part of Georgia's economy," Gov. Sonny Perdue said soon after Delta's filing. "Delta will emerge from this difficult period a leaner, stronger and more financially viable member of our corporate community."</p><p>To help Delta, Perdue earlier this year signed a legislation into law that alters sales tax obligations on the purchase of jet fuel. The law exempts Delta from further sales taxes after it pays an obligation of $15 million to the state. Georgia officials estimated the step will save Delta about $13 million annually _ just a sliver of the company's $28.3 billion debt.</p><p>On Wednesday, some Georgia lawmakers announced plans to meet next week to discuss how the state can help Delta, pointing out that if state's economy would suffer a major blow if the company or a significant number of its jobs are lost.</p><p>As for the impact of Delta's bankruptcy on Atlanta's airport, Mayor Shirley Franklin simply said she was encouraged by the airline's plans to expand service out of the city and that the airport's "efficiency and low cost structure make it an attractive place for airlines to operate."</p><p>Peter Mielznikowski, 25, of Atlanta, who was getting ready to fly to Panama City, Fla., for his wedding, said he'll only switch to another airline if the bankruptcy status affects Delta's prices and service.</p><p>"It's not affecting me yet but in the future it might," he said. "Of course I'll fly them again but if worse to worse happens I'll have to choose another airline."</p>