(WSB Radio/AP) Delta Air Lines is scheduled to report its third-quarter earnings on Wednesday. The Atlanta-based carrier could eke out a small adjusted profit for the three-month period, based on analysts' projections.

Delta's president and chief financial officer, Ed Bastian, said Sept. 18 that Delta expected its third-quarter results to be in the range of break-even to a modest loss.

The airline industry has been beset for an extended period by hefty fuel prices. The price of a barrel of oil has dropped off considerably since its record high close of $147.27 on July 11. Delta and other airlines have continued to cut domestic capacity, raise fares and boost revenue through new and higher fees imposed on passengers.

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