Delta Air Lines has reported results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2005. Key points include:

• Delta's fourth quarter net loss was $1.2 billion. Excluding reorganization and special items, the fourth quarter net loss was $782 million.
• For 2005, Delta's net loss was $3.8 billion. Excluding reorganization and special items, the full year 2005 net loss was $2.2 billion.
• Despite significant losses, Delta achieved important milestones in its reorganization during the fourth quarter of 2005, including strengthening its route network, making progress in restructuring its aircraft fleet and reducing its employment costs.
• As of December 31, 2005, Delta had $2.9 billion in cash and cash equivalents, of which $2.0 billion was unrestricted.

Delta reported a net loss of $1.2 billion in the fourth quarter of 2005, compared to a net loss of $2.2 billion in the fourth quarter of 2004. Excluding the reorganization and special items described below, the net loss was $782 million in the fourth quarter of 2005. Excluding the special items described below, the net loss was $780 million in the fourth quarter of 2004.

For the full year 2005, Delta recorded a net loss of $3.8 billion, compared to 2004's full year net loss of $5.2 billion. Excluding reorganization and special items, the net loss was $2.2 billion in 2005. Excluding the special items described below, the net loss was $2.3 billion in 2004.

"Losses of the magnitude that Delta recorded in 2005 are not sustainable," said Edward H. Bastian, Delta's executive vice president and chief financial officer. "These losses emphasize the need for the urgency with which we have to pursue route network and revenue improvements and the use of the bankruptcy process to reduce the cost and complexity of our business."

Restructuring Progress

On September 14, 2005, Delta filed a petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Since the filing, Delta has worked diligently to become a simpler, more efficient and customer-focused company.

Through its restructuring efforts, Delta:

• Strengthened its route network by adjusting capacity to match demand, including reducing capacity in its Cincinnati hub, utilizing smaller aircraft in its Atlanta domestic operations and shifting wide-body aircraft to its expanded international operations. The Company also announced plans to begin non-stop service from Atlanta and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to new markets in Europe, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, and to launch a new long-haul domestic Song(r) service.
• Made significant progress in restructuring its aircraft fleet to reduce its cost structure and match its fleet to future needs. In addition to a number of restructured aircraft arrangements for which it is seeking bankruptcy court approval, Delta has already reduced its fleet by 76 aircraft through the bankruptcy restructuring process and lease returns.
• Reduced employment costs through employee productivity improvements; pay and benefit reductions for non-pilot employees, including executives; and an interim agreement with the union representing Delta's pilots, ALPA.

"2006 will be a year for Delta to stabilize our financial situation," Bastian continued. "While masked by the high cost of fuel, our restructuring initiatives have begun to produce tangible results this quarter in the form of increased unit revenue and lower mainline non-fuel costs. By maintaining our focus on these efforts, I am confident that we can be successful in positioning Delta to emerge from bankruptcy as a profitable, competitively strong airline."

Revenue Results

For the fourth quarter of 2005, consolidated passenger unit revenue increased 7.8 percent and consolidated passenger mile yield increased 7.7 percent, compared to the fourth quarter of the previous year. Total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2005 and full year 2005 improved 6.2 percent and 6.3 percent, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year. Delta is beginning to see the expected unit revenue improvement from the structural changes it has made to strengthen its route network.

Operating Expenses

As a result of higher fuel prices, Delta paid $410 million more for fuel in the fourth quarter of 2005 than it did in the fourth quarter of 2004, and $1.5 billion more for the full year 2005 as compared to the full year 2004.(3) Driven by fuel and special items, Delta's mainline unit costs increased by 15.7 percent in comparison to the fourth quarter of 2004. Excluding fuel and special items, mainline unit costs decreased 7.1 percent for the quarter as compared to the fourth quarter of 2004.(4) For the full year 2005, mainline unit costs increased 4.8 percent as compared with 2004; however, excluding fuel and special items, mainline unit costs decreased 12.5 percent.

Liquidity

At December 31, 2005, the company had $2.9 billion in cash and cash equivalents, of which $2.0 billion was unrestricted. In January 2006, Delta completed a letter of credit facility with Merrill Lynch that enables the company to utilize up to $300 million in cash that would have been held in reserve by Delta's Visa/MasterCard processor. At December 31, 2005, Delta was in compliance with all of the financial covenants in its post-petition financing arrangements.

Reorganization and Special Items

In the fourth quarter of 2005, Delta recorded $453 million in charges for reorganization and special items. These items are described below:

• a $277 million charge for reorganization items. This net charge primarily reflects estimated pre-petition bankruptcy claims for aircraft and facilities lease matters, as well as professional fees in the company's Chapter 11 case.
• a $176 million net charge associated with pension and restructuring items. Pension settlement charges totaled $129 million and represent the accelerated recognition of deferred actuarial losses, in accordance with SFAS 88,(5) due primarily to lump sum retirement distributions from retirement plan assets. Restructuring charges totaled $47 million and represent estimated severance costs associated with 2005 workforce reduction programs.

In the fourth quarter of 2004, Delta recorded $1.4 billion in charges for special items, including (1) a $1.9 billion goodwill impairment charge associated with Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Inc. and Comair, Inc.; (2) a $194 million charge related to voluntary and involuntary workforce reduction programs; (3) a $120 million settlement charge related to the company's defined benefit pension plan for pilots; (4) a $527 million gain related to the elimination of the health care coverage subsidy for future retirees; (5) a $123 million gain related to the sale of Delta's equity investment in Orbitz, Inc.; and (6) a $114 million tax benefit from a reduction in the deferred tax asset allowance that resulted from a goodwill impairment charge.

Reclassifications

Delta sells mileage credits in the SkyMiles(r) frequent flyer program to participating partners, such as credit card companies, hotels and car rental agencies. The portion of the revenue from the sale of mileage credits that approximates the value of the transportation to be provided is deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the expected life of the awards. Effective with the December 2005 quarter, amounts received in excess of the value of the transportation to be provided are classified as other revenue on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Previously, these amounts were classified as an offset to selling expenses.

The company has reclassified prior period amounts to be consistent with the December 2005 quarter presentation. These reclassifications did not impact the operating loss or net loss for any period presented.

December Monthly Operating Report

Delta filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court its Monthly Operating Report for December 2005. As reflected in that report, the company recorded a $372 million operating loss and $753 million net loss for the month. Excluding reorganization and special items, the company recorded a $196 million operating loss and a $358 million net loss for the month.

FMI: www.delta.com