United Airlines scores Q3 profit as more travel returns

[NEW YORK] An improvement in customer travel levels helped United Airlines report a profit in the third quarter on Tuesday even as it pointed to higher jet fuel costs as the latest challenge facing the industry.

The big US carrier said third-quarter capacity was down 23 per cent compared with the 2019 period. That is up from the second quarter, when capacity was down 46 per cent from the level two years ago.

"The recovery was delayed by the Delta variant, but the United team remains focused on our long-term vision - and not getting sidetracked by near-term volatility - meaning we're solidly on track to achieve the targets we set for 2022," said chief executive Scott Kirby.

Net income for the quarter ending September 30 was US$473 million, compared with a loss of US$1.8 billion in the year-ago period.

Revenues came in at US$7.7 billion, more than triple the level in the year-ago period.

United pointed to returning business travel and the reopening of travel between the United States and Europe as bullish factors for 2022 and beyond.

The company expects to increase international capacity by 10 per cent in 2022 in anticipation of "record" travel to Europe, Latin America and other markets in summer 2022.

United did not offer a forecast on fourth-quarter profitability, but said fuel costs were trending higher. United projected fourth-quarter fuel prices of US$2.39 per gallon, up 11.7 per cent compared with the third quarter.

Last week, rival carrier Delta Air Lines warned that higher jet fuel costs would pressure profitability in the current quarter.

Shares rose 2.1 per cent to US$47.20 in after-hours trading.

AFP