Delta Air Lines is expecting one of the most profitable final quarters of the year in its history as demand for its services continues to soar.
The US airline – which flies to and from Ireland as part of its transatlantic services – has reported a pre-tax profit of $1.6bn for the three months to the end of September; the third quarter of its financial year. Operating revenue amounted to $15.7bn.
Year-on-year growth of 30% is expected in fourth quarter profit, for the final three months of the year.
“Thanks to the exceptional work of the entire Delta team, we continue to lead the industry operationally and financially, with a double-digit operating margin and nearly $3 billion of free cash flow generation year-to-date. In recognition of the outstanding efforts of our employees this year, we have accrued almost $1 billion of profit sharing towards the upcoming February payout,” said Ed Bastian, Delta’s chief executive.
“With an improving industry backdrop and strong demand for travel on Delta, we are positioned to finish the year strong. We expect our December quarter pre-tax profit to grow 30% over last year to $1.4 billion, which would mark one of the most profitable fourth quarters in our history.”
