Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) today reported traffic results for the month of September 2002. Traffic comparisons are provided for year over year activity for both 2001 and 2000. Year over year comparisons to 2001 are distorted by the three-day shut down of the United States. air traffic system and the resulting passenger decline that followed the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

System traffic increased 31.1 percent from September 2001 on a capacity increase of 9.2 percent. Delta’s system load factor was 67.5 percent in September 2002, up 11.3 points from the same period last year. Compared to September 2000, system traffic is down 11.4 percent, capacity is down 10.0 percent and load factor is down 1.0 point.

Domestic traffic in September 2002 increased 32.1 percent year over year on a capacity increase of 7.7 percent. Domestic load factor in September 2002 was 64.6 percent, up 11.9 points from the same period a year ago, but down 0.7 points from September 2000. International traffic increased 28.3 percent year over year on a 14.3 percent increase in capacity. International load factor was 76.5 percent, up 8.4 points from September 2001 and down 2.8 points from September 2000.

During September 2002, Delta operated its schedule at a 99.4 percent completion rate, compared to 83.3 percent in September 2001 and 97.4 percent in September 2000. Delta boarded 8,062,131 passengers during the month of September 2002.
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