The world's biggest airline operator's net loss for the three months ended Sept. 30 was $161 million, or 19 cents a share, compared to a loss of $50 million, or 13 cents a share, a year ago.
Excluding certain items, it recorded an adjusted profit of $51 million, or 6 cents a share in the latest quarter.
Revenue rose 32 percent to $7.6 billion from $5.7 billion a year ago before Delta's acquisition of Northwest Airlines was complete.
Analysts expected an adjusted loss of 5 cents a share on revenue of $7.6 billion.
The third quarter included the traditionally busy summer season, but major airlines were hit hard this year by weak demand for air travel, especially for business and international travel.
Capacity has been shed, jobs have been cut and other operational changes have been made, including efforts to preserve cash.
In August, Delta said it planned to cut more management and administrative jobs but didn't say how many. CEO Richard Anderson told employees that Delta has seen its revenue stream decline by billions of dollars because of the weak economy and the drop-off in demand for air travel.
Delta said previously that it planned to cut international capacity by 15 percent starting in September. Earlier this week, it said it will adjust the international routes it serves, the number of flights it offers and the size of planes it uses for next summer as it seeks to return to profitability.
Delta ended the quarter with $5.8 billion in unrestricted liquidity, including $5.5 billion in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and $300 million available in a revolving credit line.
Delta, meanwhile, remains on track with its integration of Northwest under its wing and expects to receive a single operating certificate from the FAA by the end of the year.
Its hubs include airports serving Atlanta, Salt Lake City and Tokyo. Along with its Northwest subsidiary and Delta Connection carriers it offers service to 355 destinations in 64 countries.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2009/10/224159