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Delta revenue drops by $2B in March; airline cuts capacity by 70%

By WSBTV.com

Coronavirus Pandemic Causes Climate Of Anxiety And Changing Routines In America SEATTLE, WA - MARCH 15: A ground crew prepares to unload luggage from an arriving Delta Airlines flight at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on March 15, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. The state of Washington has over 600 confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) and U.S. airports have been crushed with returning citizens after restrictions on travel from Europe were implemented. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) (John Moore/Getty Images)

By WSBTV.com

ATLANTA — Delta Air Lines announced revenue fell by $2 billion in March due to the spread of COVID-19 and a drop in demand for air travel, according to an internal memo filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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In the letter, Delta CEO Ed Bastian says the impact of the new coronavirus continues to grow and Delta will "make significant capacity reductions with a 70% system-wide pullback planned until demand starts to recover.” International operations will take a bigger cut, with 80% of flying reduced over the next two to three months.

Delta is also taking other cost-cutting measures, including the following:

  • The memo says that 10,000 employees have volunteered to take leave. Employees continue to have access to health and flight benefits while on leave.
  • Delta is deferring all new aircraft deliveries.
  • Delta officers will take a 50% pay cut through June 30, and directors and managing directors will take a 25% cut during the same time period.
  • Bastian has cut his salary by 100 percent over the next six months, and the board of directors will forego their compensation.
  • Delta will temporarily consolidate facilities in Atlanta and close the majority of Delta Sky Clubs.
  • More than half the fleet, about 600 aircraft, will be parked. Older aircraft will have an accelerated retirement.

“Make no mistake – we will get through this. This is a temporary health crisis and an end will, hopefully soon, be in sight. Never underestimate the power of travel as an essential service to our world," Bastian wrote. "All of our work over the past decade to fortify our company and transform our business model will serve us well in the weeks and months ahead, as we endure and, eventually, recover.”

Cox Media Group

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