Delta: Capacity discipline supportive of improving unit revenue trends

Delta Air Lines stated (06-Mar-2017) capacity discipline is supportive of improving unit revenue trends, which will allow reinvestment in its people and product, offsetting pressures from rising jet fuel prices. System capacity growth is capped at 1%, an "appropriate" level to balance capital investment and supply and demand, while also progressing towards the carrier's long-term financial targets. Delta remains "committed to keeping capacity growth in check" as it pursues a 17% to 19% operating margin target. While margins are under pressure in 1H2017, Delta noted "we are focused on returning to margin expansion in the back half of the year as improving RASM trajectory catches up to cost increases". [more - original PR]