Delta Predicts It Won't Recover For Three Years: GA Coronavirus

ATLANTA, GA — Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines says that since the new coronavirus started spreading, the airline has lost millions of dollars. Company officials tell WSB that $534 million was lost in the first three months of 2020. They predict that the next three will be a lost as well.

Speaking on the coronavirus, Delta CEO Ed Bastian said two weeks ago that he believed it would be another two or three years before the airline fully recovers. He made the announcement public on Wednesday, reports the news station.

When Delta does recover, however, there will be a smaller run operation, Bastian said. The airline is only carrying about 5 percent of its normal passenger load, he said.

According to Bastian, sales will more likely drop by 90 percent for the next three years.

“This has led to an unprecedented situation where demand for near-term travel has dropped to almost zero in a matter of weeks,” Bastian said.

On Monday, Delta received $2.7 billion from the government in the combination of direct aid and loans.

Currently, 33,000 Georgia residents work for Delta, which is the largest private employer in the state.