Delta Air Lines plans to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this spring as it launches a second daily flight from Gatwick to New York.
The carrier reported an annual operating profit of $58 million for 2006, its first since 2000, compared with a $2.1 billion loss the previous year. It filed for bankruptcy in September 2005.
However, its overall losses last year, including the costs of restructuring, topped $6 billion.
In spite of this, sales manager for the UK and Ireland Armin Venencie said: “It is good news.” Delta entered bankruptcy protection in September 2005.
The airline launched its Gatwick-New York service last year and will fly twice daily on the route from April.
Its business-class cabin is being refurbished and on-demand entertainment will be rolled out by the end of May.