Covid-hit Delta Air Lines posts $12 bn loss for 2020

NEW YORK: Delta Air Lines closed the books on a disastrous 2020 with a comparatively small fourthquarter loss, and executives expect a few more rocky months before - they hope - widespread coronavirus vaccinations and testing might salvage something of the upcoming summer travel season.

Delta on Thursday reported a quarterly loss of USD 755 and USD 12.4 billion in losses for all of 2020.

It is the largest annual loss in the history of the airline, which dates to the 1920s, and the global pandemic ended a decade in which Delta churned out a profit each and every year.

The fourth-quarter numbers for the airline likely would have been worse but for a December increase in air travel that likely contributed to another surge in virus infections as millions crossed the country to spend time with family and friends during the holidays.