Delta Air Lines expects Sep-2013 quarter operating margin of 12-14%, USD500m in free cash flow

Delta Air Lines stated (02-Oct-2013) it expects a Sep-2013 quarter operating margin of 12-14%, an improvement over the 10.2% operating margin for the Sep-2012 quarter. Free cash flow is projected at approximately USD500 million in the quarter. Meanwhile, unit revenues for the month of Sep-2013 increased 5.5% year over year, with particularly strong results in the trans-Atlantic and domestic entities. Meanwhile, non-fuel unit costs for the Sep-2013 quarter are projected to increase 0-2% over the same period in the prior year. Delta is projecting a September quarter economic fuel price of USD2.98 to USD3.03 per gallon, which includes taxes, settled hedges and refinery impact. [more - original PR]