Delta Air Lines, which in October completed its purchase of Northwest to become the world's largest carrier, today announced a better-than-expected first-quarter loss of $794m.
Last year Delta lost a staggering $6.4 billion. Delta stressed in a statement, however, that a year-on-year comparison was not appropriate because last year it had not taken Northwest into its fold.
Delta saw a per-share loss of 96 cents, while the market largely was expecting a loss on the order of $1.01.
Last year the airline posted a net loss of $8.9 billion on the back of heavy charges related to its acquisition of Northwest Airlines.
