Bienvenue! Salt Lake City welcomes Delta non-stop from Paris
By Lane Beattie, President and CEO, Salt Lake Chamber
On June 2, 2008 history was made in Utah as Delta Air Lines Flight 171 delivered over 200 travelers from Paris to Salt Lake City. This flight was the first trans-Atlantic service ever offered by an airline from Salt Lake City and the only non-stop service operated by a U.S. carrier between the western U.S. and Paris.
I was fortunate to be on this flight as it commenced its journey from the Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport to the Salt Lake International Airport. Ten hours later, I gazed out the window as we crossed the Wasatch crest and entered the Salt Lake Valley. The City of Lights touches the Salt Lake Valley in a way that it has never touched it before.
As the local news reporters deadpanned about fry sauce (a Utah original) and escargot (a French original), I was struck by the significance of this flight and the need locally to celebrate it, support it, promote it, and benefit from it.
Business ties
The world is getting smaller. Indeed, Paris just got four to five hours closer and the connections are increasing every day. While in France I met with Parisian business people who openly expressed their interest in the interior American west. Paris is a gateway to Europe and I witnessed it first hand as people with ties to Hungary, Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland were seated on this inaugural flight.
And the ties go both ways. Just think of the freight load. The aircraft I flew on included five tons of cargo. I’m told that the top shipments from Paris will be cosmetics, fashion garments and wine. No surprise there.
In turn, Salt Lake City businesses will ship machine parts, computers and information technology equipment to the European market.
Utah’s techsmart economy – a big part of our future – reaches European shores – a big part of our past. It reminds me that globalization has always existed … what is new is the pace and frequency of our interaction.
Some examples
Air Liquide, an industrial gas company headquartered in France with a location in Salt Lake City, will realize direct benefits from this flight. Among other products, Air Liquide provides industrial gases such as nitrogen and oxygen to the food, pharmaceutical, automotive, metal fabrication and research industries. I expect Air Liquide business interests to make frequent use of this flight.
While in France I met with the CEO of a French-based cosmetic and beauty company called Sephora. They recently announced plans to build a 312,000 square foot distribution center just west of the Salt Lake International Airport. Sephora’s CEO confirmed to me his excitement for this new business connection between Europe and the Intermountain West and reminded me of his company’s commitment to employ 500 Utahns.
Amer Sports, a leading sports equipment company headquartered in Ogden, Utah, will also benefit from non-stop service to Paris. You’ll know Amer Sports better as the sports company that sells the Salomon, Wilson and Atomic brands of outdoor products, to name just a few. Many of Utah’s outdoor product companies have strong European ties. This flight makes those ties even stronger.
In addition to these specific companies, key Utah industries/activities with ties to Europe include the world headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Utah’s year-round tourism industry (based heavily on our world class skiing and unique red rock setting), computer products, and professional services.
And let’s not forget the increased travel options and convenience provided to Utah travelers.
Delta hub
Finally, we have reason to celebrate because of Delta’s demonstrated commitment to growing the Salt Lake City hub. With its approximately 4,000 Utah employees, Delta contributes in droves to the Utah economy. And I want to personally thank local Delta employees for the personal sacrifices they have made to make Delta a stronger, more competitive airline. These employees have made concessions so that the company could be stronger. And, as a result, Utah’s economy is stronger.
We all owe them a debt of thanks.
More international flights
My sense is that Delta’s international expansion is not finished yet. They currently offer service to more worldwide destinations than any other airline – a total of 324 destinations in 62 countries. Asia is ripe for new non-stop flights, especially considering Delta’s recent merger with Asia-savvy Northwest Airlines. This week marked a milestone for Delta as they commenced with nine inaugural flights in 10 days. New destinations include Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean. Watch for Salt Lake City to land more international flights in the near future.
Imagine my satisfaction in seeing Salt Lake City on the departing flights’ screen at Charles de-Gaulle. Bienvenue! Paris, France. We welcome you.