Cargo revenue recovery, fleet expansion for US carriers in Q2 earnings

Second-quarter earnings reports from the “Big Three” U.S. combination carriers promise network expansion in the short term and fleet expansion in the long term. Meanwhile, the reports show mixed cargo revenue recovery. American Airlines has plans to operate over 150 new routes this summer, according to their Q2 earnings report. In addition to entirely new destinations, the airline will boost connectivity to existing destinations like Miami (MIA), Austin (AUS) and Orlando (MCO). American will add four new international routes departing from AUS, as well as ten new domestic routes. [caption id="attachment_94408" align="alignright" width="450"] American Airlines 777-300. Photo/American Airlines[/caption] Cargo revenue for the airline increased 47.5% in Q2 2021 over the same period in 2019. Delta Air Lines continues to rebuild its fleet after retiring all of its 777s in late 2020 . In its Q2 report, the airline announced its plan to add seven pre-owned A350s and 29 pre-owned 737-900ERs to its fleet, following on the heels of an April announcement the airline would attain 25 A321neos. The A350s and 737-900ERs will enter into service over the course of two years beginning in summer 2022. Delta plans to lease the seven A350s. In terms of cargo revenue, Delta saw a 35% increase in Q2 2021 over the same period in 2019, according to Glen Hauenstein, president of Delta. United Airlines likewise saw cargo revenue growth over Q2 2019. The airline grossed $606 million in cargo revenue in Q2 2021, a record-setting quarter for the company, up 105% from Q2 2019, according to Andrew Nocella, chief commercial officer at United. United plans to have 30 incremental widebody jets available in the summer of 2022, Nocella said. United will continue to operate its fleet of 767s, which recently began service to Croatia. Looking ahead to Q3, United predicts network-wide capacity will be up 39% over Q2, with domestic capacity for Q3 up 43% over Q2, but down 20% over Q3 2019. Alongside the Big Three, Alaska Airlines announced plans to expand its fleet in coming years, adding 13 737-9 MAX aircraft, with deliveries scheduled throughout 2023 and 2024. Cargo revenue in Q2 2021 shrank by 3.4% over the same period in 2019.

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