Delta does better than expected in the third quarter

The net income of the Atlanta group jumped 13.1% to $ 1.495 billion (almost as much in francs) in the three months ended September, which resulted in adjusted earnings per share. exceptional, reference in North America, of $ 2.32, against average $ 2.26 expected by analysts.

The turnover rose 5% to 12.56 billion dollars, a little lower than expected, said the company Thursday in a statement.

Sales in the United States were the driving force this quarter, posting growth of 7.8%, with revenue growth of more than 3% per passenger. Sales of premium products rose 11% and business sales 8%.

Transatlantic links also contributed to overall revenue growth, with a 3.2% increase in revenue for a 4.9% increase in capacity. On the other hand, income per passenger fell by 1.6%, but this is due to currency effects. The rise observed for the first classes and business classes exceeds that of the normal cabin.

Revenue for Latin America grew by 1.2% and Delta announced on September 26th to have acquired 20% stake in Latam, for 1.9 billion dollars, an operation that will lead the Chilean airline to leave the alliance Oneworld which linked to American Airlines among others.

The transpacific links, on the other hand, fell by 4.6% because of a mixture of economic slowdown, uncertainties related to the trade war but also negative exchange rate effects.

Delta Air Lines is one of the few major US airlines that does not currently have Boeing 737 MAXs in its fleet, an airplane model grounded since mid-March after two accidents that left 346 dead.

American Airlines, United and Southwest have already had to cancel thousands of flights because of this immobilization.