With taxpayers’ help, Delta posts $652 million profit in second quarter

Delta Air Lines is reporting profits of $652 million for the second quarter thanks to an increase in leisure travel and $1.5 billion in federal pandemic relief.

Without the federal money to help with payroll expenses, Delta would have posted an adjusted loss of nearly $700 million. Still, the quarterly report Wednesday shows that airlines are starting to recover from their worst year ever, as the pandemic crushed travel in 2020.

Now crowds at the nation’s airports are approaching 2019 levels. Delta CEO says the airline still has a long way to go, but it’s in much better shape that it was just three months ago.