Delta says decrease in 1Q2016 operating revenue driven by Brussels, foreign currency pressures

Delta Air Lines stated (14-Apr-2016) operating revenue decreased 1.5% year-over-year, or USD137 million, in 1Q2016, driven by USD125 million in foreign currency pressures and a USD5 million impact from the recent events in Brussels. Passenger unit revenues declined 4.6%, including 2 points of impact from foreign currency, on a 2.7% increase in capacity. Delta's incoming president Glen Hauenstein stated, "The momentum with our commercial initiatives, including corporate share gains, Branded Fares, and our partnership with American Express, allowed us to maintain our top line performance in the March quarter despite 40 percent lower market fuel prices and USD125 million of pressure from foreign currency." Mr Hauenstein forecast a unit revenue decline of 2.5% to 4.5% for 3Q2016, adding: "While this is an improvement over our March quarter performance, we are focused on getting unit revenues back to a positive trajectory and we will make adjustments to our fall capacity levels if we are not making sufficient progress over the coming months." [more - original PR]