Delta Air Lines Reports Higher Third-Quarter Profits than Projected

Image: PHOTO: Delta Bombardier C-Series aircraft. (photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines)

by Donald Wood
Last updated: 12:00 PM ET, Thu October 11, 2018

Officials from Delta Air Lines announced Thursday that third-quarter profits beat the projections thanks to strong demand for air travel and cost-cutting efforts.

According to Reuters.com, Delta and other major airlines in America are battling rising fuel expenses that have been cutting into profits despite the demand for air travel remaining at a high level across the industry.

To ensure financial success, carriers such as Delta, American and Southwest have been forced to increase ticket prices, purchase more fuel-efficient planes and raise baggage fees for passengers.

"Continued focus on cost control ... gives us confidence in our ability to keep our non-fuel unit cost growth below two percent next year," Delta chief financial officer Paul Jacobson told Reuters.

Officials also reported that corporate travel with Delta has remained strong in the United States and they have not seen an impact on demand from rising interest rates. In total, overall operating revenue rose to $11.95 billion from $11.06 billion.

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Delta Air Lines Airlines and Airports United States North America

Donald Wood

Managing Editor

Donald Wood is TravelPulse’s Managing Editor, bringing nearly 15 years of experience to the desk. He currently lives outside Philadelphia with his wife and two children.