Delta Air Lines is forecasting a strong finish to the year, reporting third-quarter passenger revenue of $9.4 billion, a 3.6 percent increase year over year. The carrier also posted its most optimistic corporate travel outlook in years.
According to Delta’s latest survey of corporate travel managers, more than 85 percent of respondents plan to maintain or increase their travel budgets in the fourth quarter and into next year. Delta President Glen Hauenstein shared these findings during an earnings call last month.
The survey results represent a 9 percent improvement over last year and are the strongest fourth-quarter reading since the company started the survey in 2011.
Delta also reported that corporate fares rose in the third quarter, marking the first time in three years that both fares and passenger volumes increased simultaneously, Hauenstein said.
Business travel strengthened particularly on trans-Atlantic routes, where Delta recorded its first positive unit revenue growth in three years.
“Europe is coming out of a multiyear recession,” Hauenstein said. “The U.S. economy is strong, and people are traveling for business, which plays to the strength of a carrier that’s embracing the business model.”