DELTA POSTS 4% RISE IN REVENUE BUT 18% DROP IN NET PROFIT FOR 2017

Delta Air Lines recorded a 4% year-on-year rise in total revenue but an 18% decrease in net income for 2017, according to full-year results released by the airline.

 

Self Photos / Files - DL359 [2] 

 

Total operating revenue came to US$41.2 billion while net income for the year was US$3.6 billion. Factors which affected the results include the power outage at Delta’s Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport hub in December and Winter Storm Benji.

 

“Delta people rose to the challenges of 2017 to produce solid financial results, industry-leading operational reliability and strong improvements in customer satisfaction, and it’s an honour to recognize their achievements with US$1.1 billion in profit sharing,” said Ed Bastian, chief executive officer of Delta. “Looking ahead to 2018, we expect to drive solid earnings growth by growing our top line 4 to 6 percent, improving our cost trajectory and integrating our international partner network.”

 

Delta’s cargo revenue for the fourth quarter of 2017 increased by 14%, driven by higher volumes and yields. For the whole year, cargo revenue came to US$729 million, a 9% increase over 2016.

 

The new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act led to a one-time charge of US$150 million in the last quarter, but the reduction in the corporate tax rate will result in an all-in book tax rate of 22-24% in 2018, leading to an expected increase in earnings, according to Delta.