Misc - HL 360 (2)

Delta posts strong earnings in tough quarter for US airlines

By Chris Isidore, CNN

New YorkCNN — 

Delta Air Lines reported vastly improved earnings in the first quarter, and the company said results should remain strong the rest of the year.

The Atlanta-based airline said its adjusted earnings came in at $380 million, or 45 cents a share, up from $217 million, up 75% from a year earlier. It easily topped Wall Street analysts’ consensus forecast of 36 cents a share.

Revenue of $12.6 billion was up 6% and a record for the first three months of the year. It posted the increase despite the average revenue passengers paid to fly every mile slipping 2% in the period. Passenger revenue when adjusted for capacity, another measure of fares, was flat compared to a year ago. The first quarter is typically the least profitable period of the year for US airlines.

Delta predicted it would report record revenue in the second quarter, it said it expects thinner profit margins. So it now expects earnings per share of between $2.20 to $2.50, which would be down from the record adjusted earnings per share of $2.64 a year ago. But it said it remains on target to reach full-year of $6 to $7 per share, which could be above the $6.25 a share it reported for 2023.

Losses expected at at other US airlines

Delta has been less affected that some of its major rivals whose operations were disrupted by problems at Boeing. Delta has no 737 Max jets in its fleet currently, although it has placed orders for some of the jets. Only about half of its mainline jets come from Boeing, compared to about 80% of United Airlines’ fleet, and 100% of the planes flown by Southwest.

And this is expected to be a difficult quarter for the US airline industry, with all the other US airlines among America’s nine largest carriers forecast to report losses in the period, whether or not they fly Boeing or Airbus jets. With fares flat to lower and costs including labor and fuel rising, making a profit in the historically slow period is likely to prove difficult.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian said there is strong demand going forward though. The airline had its 11 busiest days for booking tickets in its history during the course of the quarter, and he says demand for business travel has been especially strong.

But he acknowledged that there are rising concerns about airline safety in the wake of a January 5 Alaska Airlines flight in which the door plug of a 737 Max blew off, leaving a gaping hole in the side of the 737 Max flight. Subsequent incidents reported in the media have only added to passenger worries.

“The headlines, you can’t escape it,” he said, but noted that safety at Delta, as well as at other airlines, is a top priority.

“US aviation travel is the safest form of transportation in the world,” he added. “It’s safer than driving, it’s safer than trains, it’s safer than walking.”

Delays in jet deliveries

Delta has not taken a delivery of a Boeing jet since 2019. In July 2022 it placed an order for 100 of the Boeing 737 Max 10 jets, the largest version of the Max. It was originally due to start taking deliveries of those jets next year.

The Federal Aviation Administration has yet to certify that plane to carry passengers, but criticism of Boeing’s safety and the quality controls in the wake of the Alaska Air incident prompted Boeing to withdraw its request for a waiver necessary to get certification this year.

That incident prompted United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby to announce it was no longer counting on the 737 Max 10 planes it had already ordered from Boeing, saying the problem was the “straw that broke the camel’s back” for the airline’s expectations for the plane. Bastian didn’t sound much more hopeful for when Delta might get the Max 10 jets it ordered.

“I’m confident it will deliver at some point,” he said. “Whether it’s two years, three years, four years from now, I don’t think anyone knows.”

 

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Norman Tropshe DC 3 Captain (Might have some trouble finding a qualified pilot to fly the ole bird today)

So looking left to right in this photo  ( October 1999) this is what I have so far. 

Hoyt Fincher-Sr. VP Operations, E.E.McKeller,( Mo) Director of flight control  ? ,?  Bob Lewis, Pilot,  Norman Topshe, Pilot,  Robert ( Bob) Irvin.( Pilot) 

Hi Mark,

Well just since yesterday when I emailed you I have now identified all but 2 of them. My family and I toured the Delta Museum a few weeks ago and some employees requested to pass on any interesting memorabilia. It would be nice to identify the names.   My Dad and another pilot were the ones that flew (ship 41) the first DC 3 back from Puerto Rico, in 1995. My Dad flew it when he was hired in 1941 by Delta.  He was 78 when they brought it back to Atlanta to be refurbished. So the picture above is in front of that airplane .

 I am beginning to gather more photos to put together a timeline of it all, and have found some resources for identifying some of these older gentlemen. 

 I joined the retired Delta Air Lines facebook page which is turning out to be very helpful.

Thank you,

Trina Topshe Kriss   trina.kriss130@gmail.com

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So looking left to right in this photo  ( October 1999) this is what I have so far. 

Hoyt Fincher-Sr. VP Operations, E.E.McKeller,( Mo) Director of flight control  ? ,?  Bob Lewis, Pilot,  Norman Topshe, Pilot,  Robert ( Bob) Irvin.( Pilot) 

It is difficult to identify  because unfortunately all or most are deceased!

I will attach another photo before the restoration was completed..these are mainly pilots. My sisters and I identified some of these..they were all good friends in the Delta Golden wings that my Dad started. 

So the 2nd photo Left to RT

Beverly (Dick) Dickerson, Pre Ball, Hoyt Fincher, Dana Jones, Bob Lewis, Norman Topshe

Hope this makes sense and helps! I'm not efficient on my new lap top!

Trina T. Kriss

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