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Delta lost $1.2b in Q1, more than expected, but executives said Thursday that the airline could be profitable by late summer if the budding recovery in air travel continues. CEO Ed Bastian said Thursday that ticket sales have been stronger in the last two weeks than at any time since the pandemic hit the US last year. So far most of the people boarding planes are vacationers booking trips to mountains, beaches and resorts. The increase in passengers, combined with lower costs for labor and fuel, helped Delta generate $4m in cash per day in March after burning cash for the past year. “It’s clear that our business is turning the corner and we’re moving into an active recovery phase,” Bastian said. “We see the business continuing to improve as consumer confidence grows.” However, Delta forecast that second-quarter revenue will be down 50% to 55% compared with the same quarter in 2019, which analysts said fell short of expectations. The company’s shares, which have more than doubled since last May, fell 3%.<br/>

Vietnam Airlines has outlined various support measures to improve its financial position following its losses in 2020. In a filing to the Ho Chi Minh City stock exchange dated 14 April, the flag carrier has disclosed the serious impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on its business and financial performance in 2020, with passenger numbers for the full year declining 45% versus 2019. Vietnam Airlines reports a consolidated after-tax loss of D11.2t ($485m) and an after-tax loss of D8.75t. The consolidated figure includes the mainline carrier, VASCO, Pacific Airlines and affiliate Cambodia Angkor Air. Air transport revenue declined 61% year-on-year. The carrier intends to tap a combination of government support and introduce measures to cut costs in the short-term. Government support policies for Vietnamese carriers amid the pandemic cover the exemption or reduction of taxes, fees and service charges, the carrier highlights.<br/>