Mixed results for Delta Airlines in Q3 earnings report

Delta Airlines fell in pre-market trading on Thursday after posting a mixed bag in its third quarter earnings report.

The company blamed a power outage and the subsequent cancellation of flights in August for a dent in its revenue and profit, but were able to rely on the fall in fuel prices to stem the tide.

Revenue was 6.5% lower year-over-year to $10.48bn, lower than previous expectations of $10.55bn.

The Atlanta-based carrier was expected by analysts to post adjusted earnings of $1.65 per share, but beat that to make $1.70 per share.

Delta had anticipated a 7% decline in unit revenue, which ended up being slightly lower at 6.8%.

Overall for the period the company reported a profit of $1.26bn, while that figure was $1.32bn for the same period last year.

Chief executive officer Ed Bastian said that the company hopes to continue with a capacity expansion through 2017.

"With our focus on building a more sustainable and durable business, we will be taking a cautious approach to 2017 by keeping our capacity in line with the December quarter’s 1% growth level," a statement from Bastian read.