New York  - The third-largest US air carrier Delta Air Lines reported Wednesday that it lost 50 million dollars in the third quarter of 2008 amid rising fuel costs.

The loss compares with the 220 million dollar profit in the same quarter of 2007, but represented a slowdown in the airline's red ink after the company had posted 7.4 billion dollars in losses in the first six months.

Revenues in the third quarter came to 5.7 billion dollars, up 9 per cent year-on-year. The Atlanta, Georgia-based airline said its fuel bill in this year's third quarter were 800 million dollars higher than in last year's third quarter. (dpa)