There are likely to be few positive surprises when the major U.S. airlines report their third-quarter profits this year. All but a few smaller companies are expected to show losses. However the emerging reports about customer levels for September are giving a few analysts reason to think that the airline industry might just be about to turn a corner.

A number of carriers are saying that their September traffic has improved on the same time last year. Although out of the major airlines only Delta Airlines is forecast to show a small profit for business during the summer months the resilience of the U.S. airline industry has been illustrated by the major carrier’s ability to borrow money to see them through what is hopefully the end of the world-wide recession.

September traffic is also positive because the airlines have succeeded in cutting capacity. The autumn sales have also been attractive to customers. Airlines are now hoping that fewer seats will mean an increase in demand and therefore a chance to raise ticket prices. This year airlines have only managed to push through three fare increases which is dramatically down on last year’s fifteen.

Airlines are currently trying to produce profits from ancillary fares. The latest of which is an additional charge for customers who wish to fly during a holiday.