Delta, United and Southwest Airlines hint at mixed fortunes for 2Q2013

Three of the major US carriers are expressing dissimilar views of their respective forecasts for 2Q2013 as Delta believes it could again achieve record results for the quarter after posting its first profitable quarter in a decade during 1Q2013. United has a more neutral view of the current operating environment, and is remaining more tight lipped about its prospects for 2Q while Southwest is expressing a cautious outlook as it is stimulating passengers at the expense of suffering weaker yields.

Those carriers offer their differing views as industry trade group Airlines For America (A4A) estimates a slight uptick in passenger growth during the summer high season from Jun-2013 through Aug-2013. Most airlines for the first two months of 2Q2013 recorded declines in unit revenues, which could indicate some challenges in gaining pricing traction. But the upside in fuel prices generally remains lower year-on-year and should help soften the fall in revenues.