**United Airlines Exceeds Third-Quarter Estimates and Announces $1.5 Billion Share Buyback**

United Airlines has reported a robust financial performance for the third quarter, surpassing Wall Street expectations in both revenue and earnings. The airline has also initiated its first share buyback since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, amounting to $1.5 billion.

For the just-concluded quarter, United Airlines detailed an adjusted earnings per share of $3.33, outpacing the expected $3.17, while revenue hit $14.84 billion, again exceeding the forecasted $14.78 billion. Despite a 15% decline in net income to $965 million from the previous year, the airline's revenue trajectory remained positive, bolstered by higher domestic unit revenue in August and September, along with strategic capacity management.

CEO Scott Kirby reiterated to staff that the share repurchase program would be executed thoughtfully, ensuring that the company’s primary focus remains on investing in its workforce and business operations. Airlines including United had previously been restricted from share buybacks due to receiving more than $50 billion in government aid during the pandemic-induced travel downturn.

United Airlines also laid out a promising forecast for the fourth quarter, with expected adjusted earnings of $2.50 to $3.00 per share, surpassing the previous year's $2.00 per share and exceeding analyst projections of $2.68 per share. Furthermore, the airline noted a 4.1% increase in capacity during the third quarter alongside a 13% rise in corporate revenue and a substantial 20% increase in sales from its basic economy tickets.

The airline's expansion plans for the next year include new international routes to Mongolia, Senegal, Spain, and Greenland, as United continues to capitalize on growing demand for global travel. These announcements come amidst ongoing industry challenges, such as production delays at Boeing due to a machinist strike, which may impact future operations.

United’s third-quarter performance and strategic initiatives underscore its resilience and adaptability in a fluctuating market, positioning the airline for continued growth and shareholder value enhancement.