Delta reiterates its commitment to Minnesota

Gov. Mark Dayton said he's reassured about Delta Air Lines' commitment to Minnesota after the airline's CEO told him Tuesday that Delta employs far more Minnesotans than Dayton had believed.

Dayton thought the airline had only 7,000 or so employees in the state. But in a meeting with Delta CEO Richard Anderson, Dayton said he learned the airline is exceeding its promises for employment and air service in Minnesota.

"They're employing over 12,500 Minnesotans and they're committed to the hub here," Dayton said. "It's the second-largest hub, after Atlanta. And they expect it to continue to grow as the airline grows."

In a 2009 agreement with the Metropolitan Airports Commission, Delta had vowed to employ at least 10,000 Minnesotans. The airline and its regional carriers also committed to providing about 400 daily departing flights. Last year, they averaged 434.

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