Airlines expect pullback in demand as they lock in September schedules

1. Airlines expect pullback in demand as they lock in September schedules. The airline industry is about to enter a critical period. Carriers are locking in their September schedules, and they're expecting a pullback in demand. CNBC's Phil LeBeau reports. Delta's chief executive officer says business travel continues to lag but remains optimistic about the airline's countermeasures — including its policy to create distance among passengers by blocking middle seats during the novel corona-virus pandemic. Delta Air Lines Inc. CEO Ed Bastian made the comments during Delta's sec-ond quarter earnings call Tuesday, July 14. Delta posted a $7 billion pre-tax loss and saw year-over-year operational revenue fall by 91% in the quarter as the pandemic ravaged the commercial aviation industry. As other commercial airlines have warned employees of poten-tial furloughs and layoffs before the end of this year, Bastian said he is hopeful the Atlanta-based carrier can avoid involuntary separations. Airlines expect pullback in demand as they lock in September schedules. The airline industry is about to enter a critical period. Carriers are locking in their September schedules, and they're expecting a pullback in demand. CNBC's Phil LeBeau reports. Delta's chief executive officer says business travel continues to lag but remains optimistic about the airline's countermeasures — including its policy to create distance among passengers by blocking middle seats during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Delta Air Lines Inc. CEO Ed Bastian made the comments during Delta's second quarter earnings call Tuesday, July 14. Delta posted a $7 billion pre-tax loss and saw year-over-year operational revenue fall by 91% in the quarter as the pandemic ravaged the commercial aviation industry. As other commercial airlines have warned employees of potential furloughs and layoffs before the end of this year, Bastian said he is hopeful the Atlanta-based carrier can avoid involuntary separations.