Employees at Delta Air Lines are set to gain from a $90 million profit share scheme as the airline returned its best quarterly result in ten years.
The net profit of $549 million, excluding special items, for the three months to June 30 was a $748 million improvement year on year.
The airline’s operating revenue grew by $1.2 billion, or 17% compared to the same quarter in 2009.
Delta’s passenger revenue increased by 19%, or $1.1 billion, compared to the same period in 2009 based on 1% lower capacity.
Staff will benefit from a $90 million profit share in recognition of their achievements toward meeting the company’s financial targets, the airline said.
Chief executive Richard Anderson said: “Delta’s profit this quarter is our best result in a decade and proof that our plan has positioned us well as the economy begins its recovery.
“These results would not have been possible without the dedication and determination of Delta people. We’re happy to recognise our employees’ contributions with $90 million in profit sharing.”
The carrier’s president Ed Bastian added: “We are seeing strong improvements in these early stages of the economic recovery and believe there’s room for more revenue growth as the economy continues to stabilise.
“We anticipate double-digit year over year unit revenue gains for the September quarter.”
Atlanta-based Delta was forced into Chapter 11 bankruptcy, along with four other major US airlines following the September 11 attacks on New York.
It emerged from Chapter 11 in 2007 having undergone a major restructuring of its business.