Delta posts $49 million loss in November

ATLANTA - Delta Air Lines says it narrowed its loss in November to $49 million.

The loss for the 30-day period compares to a loss of $181 million that the nation's third-largest carrier posted for the same month a year ago.

Excluding reorganization items, Delta said its net loss for November was $12 million.

Delta recorded revenue of $1.37 billion in November.

It spent $324 million on aircraft fuel in the month.

Ed Bastian, Delta's chief financial officer, said in a statement that November's results continue the momentum that will deliver a nearly $2 billion year-over-year improvement in Delta's net income excluding reorganization items for 2006.

The Atlanta-based airline filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New York in September 2005.

Delta filed a reorganization plan earlier this month that calls for it to emerge from bankruptcy by the middle of next year as a stand-alone carrier.

US Airways Group in Tempe, Arizona has made a hostile bid to buy Delta, and Delta's creditors are currently weighing both proposals.