US carrier Delta Air Lines has announced a net income of $735 million for the second quarter of 2022, compared to $1.4 billion in the same period of 2019, before the pandemic.
The Atlanta-based carrier, the third largest in the US, generated $13.82 billion in revenue during the three months to the end of June, 10% more than three years ago.
The Virgin Atlantic partner said its domestic operations continue to lead recovery “with international accelerating”. Domestic passenger revenue was 3% higher and international passenger revenue was 81% recovered compared to the second quarter in 2019.
Revenue in transatlantic and Latin America networks both exceeded 2019 levels in June, while the pace of recovery in the Pacific saw “meaningful improvement”, driven by Korea and Australia re-openings and the easing of restrictions in Japan.
More: Special Report: Delta reports strong transatlantic demand
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The recovery of business travel is also “progressing”, with international corporate sales for the quarter 65% recovered compared to 2019, “driven by outsized improvement in transatlantic”.
The results announcement added: “Recent corporate survey results show positive expectations for business travel in the September quarter, including optimism around international travel given the elimination in June of the pre-departure test requirement for flights to the US.”
Delta chief executive Ed Bastian said: “I would like to thank our entire team for their outstanding work during a challenging operating environment for the industry as we work to restore our best-in-class reliability.
“For the September quarter, we expect an adjusted operating margin of 11 to 13%, supporting our outlook for meaningful full year profitability.”
Glen Hauenstein, Delta president, added: “With sustained strength in bookings, we expect September quarter revenue to be up 1-5% compared to 2019.”
Staff were awarded a 4% pay rise on May 1.
More: Special Report: Delta reports strong transatlantic demand