Delta Airlines traces its roots back to 1924, when Huff Daland Dusters founded the world's first aerial crop dusting organization. In 1928 the company became Delta Air Service and on June 17, 1929, Delta began its airline service with the first passenger flights over a route stretching from Dallas, Texas to Jackson, Mississippi. Today Delta Air Lines transports more passengers worldwide than any other airline, through a vast worldwide route system. Some of its worldwide partners include Air Jamaica, British European, China Southern, Malaysia Airlines, and South African Airways. Since the founding of Delta Air Lines, they have stood for safe and reliable air transportation, distinctive customer service and hospitality from the heart. Delta's vision is to build on its traditions and to always meet their customers' expectations while taking service to even higher levels of excellence. In 2001, 104 million passengers chose to fly Delta, more than any other airline in the world. Delta is dedicated to being the best airline in the eyes of their customers. They are determined to provide value and distinctive products to their customers, a superior return for investors and challenging and rewarding work for Delta people in an environment that respects and values their contributions.
             The events and challenges that Delta had to face in 2001 was unlike any they had to encounter in 2000 or for that matter unlike any in the history of aviation. Prior to September 11th, the slowing economy reduced the demand for air travel among both business and leisure passengers. The events of September 11 had an astronomical impact in the airline industry. Our nation's aviation system was called to a halt and the skies became silent and empty. Passengers, crew members, and aircraft were grounded in unplanned destinations. Every airport in the nation was shut down within hours of the event. During the period when airports wer...