ATLANTA: July 14, 2017. Delta Air Lines has reported a second quarter (Q2) 2017 net profit of US$1.22 billion on revenue of US$10.79 billion, compared to US$1.54 billion and US$10.44 billion respectively in the same period last year.

Cargo revenue rose 10.9 percent to US$183 million in Q2 year-on-year, and 4.9 percent to US$343 million for the first six months of 2017 compared to the previous period. On July 13 Delta took delivery of the first of 25 A350-900 aircraft (right) with capacity for 11 bellyhold pallet positions.

The airline reported an additional US$238 million from baggage fees in Q2 – up 2.6 percent from last year – and US$441 million in baggage revenue for the first six months of 2017, an increase of 0.5 percent.

"The June quarter ranks among the best in Delta's history as our people delivered top financial, operational, and customer satisfaction results — and it is an honor to recognize that performance with an additional US$338 million toward our 2017 profit sharing," said Delta CEO Ed Bastian.

Delta's work to fight human trafficking was highlighted this week at a hearing by the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation to explore the role transportation providers and supply chains play in fighting the growth of sex trafficking in the U.S. and slave labor in the global economy.

The International Labor Organization estimates that forced labor and human trafficking is an annual US$150 billion industry that traps 20.9 million people worldwide with 26 percent children and 55 percent women.

The U.S. Department of Labor has identified 139 goods from 75 countries made by forced and child labor.

Delta has partnered with Polaris, a nonprofit dedicated to combat human trafficking, and trained 54,000 employees to detect such activity. The airline has also established 'Skywish', part of its SkyMiles program, so customers can donate frequent flyer miles to help Polaris provide flights for trafficking survivors to return to their home country or reunite with children or family.