Fort Worth, Texas: American Airlines’ second-quarter profit fell 44 per cent from a year ago, to $950 million, as taxes, lower revenue and higher labour costs offset another big drop in fuel.

Like other airlines, American is making money but seeing its profit trimmed by lower average fares. American said revenue fell 4 per cent because of increased competition, the soft global economy, and the strong dollar, which hurts sales overseas.

Still, the results beat Wall Street expectations.

American, the world’s biggest airline, said on Friday that net income amounted to $1.68 per share and compared with $1.7 billion, or $2.41 per share, in last year’s second quarter.

Excluding one-time costs, mostly related to its 2013 merger with US Airways, American said profit would have been $1.77 per share.

Thirteen analysts surveyed by FacSet predicted adjusted earnings of $1.68 per share, and seven analysts polled by Zacks Investment Research expected $1.65.

The Fort Worth-based company argued that the results were skewed because it made a $543-million provision for income taxes while it paid no taxes a year ago.

Revenue fell to $10.36 billion but topped the $10.32 billion forecast of the FactSet analysts.

A key figure, revenue for every seat flown one mile, dropped 6.3 per cent from last summer. That reflects lower average fares – tempted by cheaper fuel, airlines have been adding seats faster than the growth in demand, which has in turn forced them to cut prices to keep planes nearly full.

While jet fuel prices levelled off this year, they are still far lower than a year ago. American saved $530 million on fuel, or about 25 per cent, when including fuel it buys for carriers that operate its American Eagle flights.

Labour costs rose $306 million, or 13 per cent, and again eclipsed fuel as American’s largest single expense.

American Airlines Group Inc. shares fell 5 cents, to $34.91, in trading before Friday’s opening bell. They have fallen 17 per cent since the beginning of the year. The stock has dropped 15 per cent in the last 12 months.