# Delta Air Lines Cuts 2026 Earnings Forecast

> Delta Air Lines lowers 2026 earnings forecast as fuel costs surge, shares drop 1.72%.
- Title: Delta Air Lines Cuts 2026 Earnings Forecast · mint | Shortify
- Summary: Delta Air Lines lowers 2026 earnings forecast as fuel costs surge, shares drop 1.72%. Delta Air Lines cuts 2026 earnings forecast to $5.10-$5.60 per share…
- Keywords: delta air lines, 2026 earnings forecast, fuel costs, q3 profit, analyst estimates, shares, delta air lines shares, money, business, Delta, Air, Lines
- Source: mint — https://livemint.com/market/stock-market-news/delta-air-lines-cuts-2026-earnings-forecast-q3-profit-misses-analyst-estimates-shares-dip-172-11791557802233.html
- Author: Rajendra Saxena
- Published: 2026-10-09T17:31:54+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: delta air lines, 2026 earnings forecast, fuel costs, q3 profit, analyst estimates, shares, delta air lines shares, money, business
## Delta Air Lines Cuts 2026 Earnings Forecast
Delta Air Lines lowers its full-year 2026 earnings forecast to $5.10-$5.60 per share, below the $6.50-$7.50 range it reaffirmed in July.
## Q3 Profit Misses Analyst Estimates
Delta reported adjusted earnings of $1.72 per share for Q3, below the average analyst estimate of $1.82 per share.
## Fuel Costs Surge 62% Year-on-Year
Delta’s adjusted fuel expenses rose 62% year-on-year to $4.1 billion, reflecting higher aviation fuel costs.
## Additional Fuel Costs of $6 Billion
Delta expects approximately $6 billion in additional fuel costs this year compared with 2025 due to Middle East conflict.
## Shares Drop 1.72% After Earnings
Delta Air Lines shares fell as much as 3.5% in early trading, down 1.72% to $80.73 at 1:18 p.m. EDT.
## CEO Ed Bastian on Fuel Costs
CEO Ed Bastian said higher fuel prices are the main reason for the revised outlook, stating the airline has the best ability to price for increased costs.
## Middle East Conflict Impacts Fuel Prices
The ongoing Middle East conflict has contributed to uncertainty in energy markets, leaving airlines exposed to elevated fuel expenses.
## Key takeaway

Delta Air Lines cuts 2026 earnings forecast to $5.10-$5.60 per share due to higher fuel costs, with shares falling 1.72%.