In a first-quarter earnings conference call this week with analysts and reporters, Delta President Ed Bastion termed the transatlantic region “disappointing” and “largely driven by over-capacity.”
Glen W. Hauenstein, Delta executive vice president of network planning and revenue management, quoted transatlantic discount airline pioneer Freddie Laker, who once said anyone can make money flying during the summer travel season. The trick is the winter off-season.
“The game is not to give back the profits you make in the summer during the winter,” Hauenstein said. “We didn’t do a good job of that.”
Reducing capacity in Europe won’t be as easy as it is in the U.S. Delta has partners it has to consult with before specific moves can be made.
