Delta reports $1.5 B September‑quarter pre‑tax profit, forecasts $4.5 B full‑year profit

Delta Air Lines announced a September quarter pre‑tax profit of $1.5 billion and generated $1.9 billion of free cash flow year‑to‑date.

The airline expects full‑year pre‑tax profit of roughly $4.5 billion while absorbing a $6 billion increase in fuel costs, projects December‑quarter revenue growth of about 20 percent over last year and assumes an all‑in fuel price of approximately $4.25 per gallon; September‑quarter revenue grew about 16 percent year‑over‑year on flat capacity.