ATLANTA: July 12, 2019. Delta Air Lines has reported a 17 percent drop in air cargo revenue to US$186 million for Q2 ending June 30, 2019. Revenue for the first half of the year fell 11 percent to US$378 million. The airline cited “lower volumes and yield” for the decline compared to 2018 figures.
Total operating revenue for both HI and Q2 rose six percent to US$23.0 billion and US$12.5 billion respectively. This resulted in a 39 percent increase in Q2 net profit of US$1.44 billion and an H1 net profit of US$2.17 billion – the latter up 36 percent year-on-year.
“Our record June quarter financial and operating results demonstrate that we are translating our powerful brand and competitive advantages into earnings growth, margin expansion and solid returns for our owners,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. “Our people are the best in the business and I’m proud to recognize their hard work and dedication this quarter with an additional US$518 million toward next year’s profit sharing,” he continued.
The airline has announced it is to take delivery of 20 Airbus aircraft from the manufacturer’s final assembly plant in Mobile, Alabama using biofuels and carbon offsets together with Air BP.
“Air BP is supplying sustainable aviation fuel, produced by Neste, for 20 delivery flights and through the BP Target Neutral programme we are offsetting the residual carbon emissions of each flight,” explained Air BP CEO Jon Platt.
The newest Delta A321 (pictured) made its carbon-neutral delivery flight on July 12 as part of the airline’s bid to reduce emissions 50 percent by 2050 said Alison Lathrop, Delta’s managing director – Global Environment, Sustainability and Compliance. “We are excited to partner with Air BP and Airbus to power these delivery flights with biofuels and carbon offsets, and will explore opportunities to bring this level of sustainability to all delivery flights going forward.”
Delta says it was the first US airline to voluntarily cap carbon emissions at 2012 levels by purchasing carbon offsets ahead of the ICAO CORSIA implementation, which caps international emissions at 2019/2020 levels.
