Nine U.S. passenger carriers collectively reported profit of $9.2 billion for the first half of 2017, down from $12 billion in the same period in 2016, the trade group Airlines For America reported. The combined profit figure includes data from Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines and United Airlines.
Airlines For America said the decline in profitability was attributable to expenses surging 9.1 percent, outpacing 4.2 percent growth in revenues. Higher fuel, labor and maintenance costs were particularly impactful.
