Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) rose 2.5% in pre-market trading after reporting record results for the September quarter as demand for air travel remained strong.
The Atlanta, Georgia-based airline said net income rose 60% to $1.11 billion, or $1.72 a share, from $695 million, or $1.08 a share, the year prior.
Adjusted EPS rose 34% to $2.03 from $1.51, beating the FactSet consensus of $1.95.
Revenue grew 10.8% to $15.49 billion in the quarter and hit record levels in the month of September.
Domestic passenger revenue increased 6% while international revenue jumped 35%, while the load factor climbed to 88% from 87% to top expectations of 86.4%.
Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, Delta cut its EPS guidance range to $6.00 to $6.25 from $6 to $7, but raised its sales growth outlook to around 20% from 17% to 20%.
Delta said: “Robust demand for travel on Delta is continuing into the December quarter where we expect total revenue growth of 9% to 12% compared to the December quarter 2022 with total unit revenue expected to decline 2.5% to 4.5%."