Higher fuel costs, storms drive down Delta profit

Snow slows flights in Atlanta Delta Air Lines has canceled more than 300 departures for Friday. Southwest Airlines has canceled more than 40 flights. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport officials advised travelers to check with airlines on the status of flights.

Higher fuel costs and storms that drove flight cancellations caused Delta Air Lines' profit to decline in the first quarter of the year.

Atlanta-based Delta reported record revenue for the quarter, with operating revenue at  more than $9.9 billion.

But that was offset by a 20 percent year-over-year increase in fuel expense and a $44 million toll from severe winter weather.

The storms included Nor'easters that caused hundreds of flight cancellations in Boston, New York and other airports. Delta also canceled hundreds of flights in mid-January due to snow and ice in the Southeast.

The airline’s net income declined 2 percent year-over-year to $547 million in the first quarter.