ATLANTA, March 20, 2020 – Delta Air Lines today announced it has entered into a $2.6 billion secured credit facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank, payable in a single installment on the maturity date on March 16, 2021. The goal is to enhance the company’s liquidity as it manages through an unprecedented decline in air travel demand due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The company is also drawing $3 billion under its existing revolving credit facilities.

“The growing need to protect Delta’s future has led to difficult decisions across our business that are impacting all of our stakeholders,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. “Maintaining ample liquidity during this crisis is critical to the essential service that Delta provides in America’s transportation infrastructure as well as the jobs of more than 90,000 Delta people across the country.”

But in the internal memorandum sent to “Delta Colleagues Worldwide” today, Ed Bastian said that “despite all the self-help measures we are taking, we are currently burning roughly $50 million in cash each day.”

He furthermore thanked “the more than 13,000 people who have stepped up to take voluntary unpaid leaves” meaning that 13K workers lost their job but they cannot apply for unemployment benefits since they “voluntarily” took that leave. and according to Delta employees in comment section they absolutely are giving unemployment payments to the Delta employees that are taking voluntary leave.

Bastian also said that “June quarter revenues will be down by $10 billion compared to a year ago – an 80 percent reduction.”

Following is the first page of memorandum.

Internal Memorandum

Date: Friday, March 20, 2020

To: Delta Colleagues Worldwide From: Ed Bastian, CEO Subject: Securing Delta’s Position In This Crisis

It has been an extraordinary few weeks, to say the least, for our business, our nation and our world. Just over a month ago we were celebrating a record Profit-Sharing Day; today we face the greatest economic challenge in our history as the world grapples with the growing COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

I want to thank the more than 13,000 people who have stepped up to take voluntary unpaid leaves – this is the most important thing anyone can do right now to support Delta. While I’m grateful to the thousands that have volunteered, we could use more, so please seriously consider whether this is the right short-term decision for you and your family.

Earlier this week I outlined the serious threat to our business and the difficult actions we’re taking over the next few months to protect our company. Our revenue outlook continues to deteriorate in the short term with the decline in travel demand. We’re now projecting our June quarter revenues will be down by $10 billion compared to a year ago – an 80 percent reduction. It’s also clear, given the underlying damage the virus has created to the overall economy, that demand recovery will take an extended period once the virus is contained.

In light of the unprecedented challenges facing us, we have entered into a $2.6 billion secured credit facility and are drawing down $3 billion under our existing revolving credit facilities. This will help fortify our cash position in the coming weeks and months. To put this in context, despite all the self-help measures we are taking, we are currently burning roughly $50 million in cash each day.

We also continue working with the President and Congress on disaster relief assistance, which is vital to protect our industry’s critical role in our nation’s economy. Amid those discussions, in recent days some critics have argued that the airlines have not been good stewards of our money during our profitable years. At Delta, nothing could be further from the truth. Our philosophy has always been a simple one: We put 50 percent of our operating cash flow back into our business by investing in our people and our customers, use 30 percent to pay down debt, and return 20 percent to our owners.

In fact, over the past five years Delta has invested over $20 billion in new aircraft, airport enhancements, technology and customer service improvements; and invested $19 billion in our people via profit-sharing and pension contributions and payments. In addition, we increased base pay by 30 percent during that period and regained the confidence of the financial markets by earning back our investment-grade credit rating. When the extent of the COVID-19 crisis became clear, we immediately suspended our share repurchases, and our Board of Directors has voted to suspend future dividend payments.

While these actions will help, the innovation of our people has always been our most powerful tool, and we need it more than ever to protect the future of our company. I have received a remarkable number of ideas and offers to help from Delta people across all divisions as well as our merit employees. We’re reviewing them all and will be making decisions soon on next steps to preserve cash, fortify our future and plan for our eventual recovery. We are exploring all options on help we will need from both merit and frontline people.

Shares of Atlanta-based Delta nosedived by 60% since February 21, 2020.