05:05 PM EDT, 07/16/2025 (MT Newswires) -- United Airlines' (UAL) second-quarter earnings fell less than expected, though the air carrier missed revenue estimates amid operational constraints at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Adjusted earnings dropped to $3.87 a share for the June quarter from $4.14 the year before. Analysts polled by FactSet expected EPS $3.81. Operating revenue increased 1.7% year over year to $15.24 billion, shy of the Street's view for $15.36 billion.

Passenger revenue rose 1.1% to $13.84 billion, but was weighed down by a 0.7% drop in domestic sales. Total revenue per available seat mile, which is used to compare the efficiency of various airlines, fell 4%.

The Federal Aviation Administration in May reduced flight arrivals and departures at Newark due to runway construction, a shortage of air traffic controllers, and equipment issues. United Airlines said late Wednesday that those challenges had a 1.2-point impact on second-quarter pretax margins, with a 0.9-point hit expected in the third quarter.

"In May 2025, the company experienced an event at Newark Airport that drove extensive negative news coverage that drove customer bookaway," United said in an investor update.

The airline said it expects adjusted EPS of $9 to $11 for 2025, compared with two separate outlooks previously provided that ranged from $7 to as much as $13.50. The Street is currently estimating non-GAAP EPS of $10.03.

"Beginning in early July, United has seen a sequential 6-point acceleration in demand and a double-digit acceleration in business demand versus the second quarter," the company said in a statement. "The airline attributes this to less geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty."

For the ongoing three-month period, the airline anticipates adjusted EPS of $2.25 to $2.75. The average analyst estimate on FactSet is for $2.58.

UAL shares eased 1.5% in after-hours trading Wednesday.