Delta Prepares For Steep Losses As Coronavirus Outbreak Keeps Passengers At Home

A Delta Connection jet lands at Salt Lake City International Airport, Wednesday, April 22, 2020, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

More than one-third of Delta Air Lines’ workforce will be taking voluntary unpaid leave, and some 650 planes in the Delta fleet remained parked as the airline slashes expenses in response to the drop in traffic caused by the coronavirus.

Atlanta-based Delta is predicting a 90% drop in revenue over the next three months. The company’s first earnings report since the pandemic started revealed an 18% decline in revenue over the first three months of 2020, as the airline lost $534 million.

“We’re going to spend the time in these next few months, as we build the company that we want for the future – not necessarily rebuild what we have,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian.