Delta Air Lines today reported record load factors for September 2008. Load factors for system (80.0 percent), domestic (81.5 percent) and Latin America (73.7 percent) were higher than any previous September on record for Delta.

International traffic increased 12.8 percent year over year on a 13.6 percent increase in capacity, and load factor declined 0.6 points. As a result of Delta’s global expansion, a record number of passengers flew internationally on Delta during the month of September. The number of international and Atlantic passengers increased 5.0 percent and 12.1 percent, respectively, versus the same period last year.

Delta’s domestic traffic in September 2008 decreased 8.0 percent year over year on 12.8 percent lower capacity, and load factor increased 4.3 points. In addition, system traffic in September 2008 decreased 0.8 percent over September 2007 on a capacity decrease of 3.7 percent. Delta’s system load factor increased 2.4 points compared to the same period last year.

“September unit revenues were in line with our expectations driven by strong yields in both domestic and international regions, as well as a higher consolidated load factor,” said Glen Hauenstein, Delta’s executive vice president — Network Planning and Revenue Management. “While the industry continues to face volatile fuel prices and an uncertain economic outlook, industry-wide capacity reductions are helping to drive unit revenue improvements. We continue to watch domestic and international demand closely and will move quickly to make adjustments to the network as the environment warrants.”