Delta Isn’t Immune to Contagion From the Struggles of Budget Airlines

Delta and stronger airlines are starting to see spill over from the problems plaguing carriers in the budget sector of the industry, JP Morgan analysts write. Troubled carriers, including budget airlines and Southwest, are inclined to maximize flying capacity when demand is high to compensate for losses at slower times of year, the analysts write. “Much like a swimmer that has ventured too far from shore, airlines under duress can be sloppy on the pricing front as they flail about for oxygen.” Delta CEO Ed Bastian says he expects to regain pricing power as airlines throttle back flying plans, but other analysts are skeptical cuts will be big enough. “Maybe the industry stares those losses in the face and makes structural changes, but if history repeats itself, the more likely outcome is short-term tweaks in hopes of drastic change,” Melius Research analysts

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