Delta cuts 2026 profit forecast as fuel costs surge

Summarised from CNBC's report · Updated 9 Oct, 12:25 · Archive

Delta Air Lines has slashed its 2026 profit outlook citing high fuel prices, though the airline's chief says demand remains strong.

Delta Air Lines missed earnings estimates for the first time in two years and slashed its 2026 profit forecast, citing surging fuel costs. The airline cut its full-year earnings per share guidance to between $5.10 and $5.60 on an adjusted basis, compared with its earlier outlook of $6.50 to $7.50 when fuel prices were lower. Delta also reduced its free cash flow outlook for the year to $2.5 billion from $4 billion previously expected.

CEO Ed Bastian said the airline has passed along much of a $6 billion increase in fuel costs this year through higher fares. He reported that consumer demand continues to be strong across all channels, service cabins and geographies, with both business and leisure travel remaining solid. The airline forecast a 20 per cent increase in fourth-quarter revenue compared with the same period last year, higher than the 16 per cent rise achieved in the third quarter when adjusted for benefits from Delta's refinery in Trainer, Pennsylvania, where it refines crude oil into jet fuel.

Read the report

• Delta Air Lines cuts 2026 forecast on fuel surge, but CEO says demand is still strongDelta Air Lines reported third-quarter earnings and missed Wall Street estimates for the first time in two years.CNBC · 9 Oct, 11:47

In this story: Delta Air Lines · Ed Bastian · Trainer, Pennsylvania

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