Delta Air Lines, the world's biggest air carrier based in Atlanta, reported a $25 million net fourth quarter loss in 2009, much lesser than a year earlier on account of the cost cuts that indirectly mirrored revenue pressures.

The fourth-quarter loss reported Tuesday by the airline was equivalent to 3 cents a share. In the year-ago quarter, Delta witnessed a loss of $1.4 billion, or $2.11 a share.

In addition, it claims a loss of $225 million, or 27 cents a share for the latest period, excluding merger-related expenses. However, analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters speculated a loss of 24 cents a share on revenue of $6.86 billion.

Its revenue registered a rise of 1 percent to $6.8 billion from $6.7 billion. Delta completed its acquisition of Northwest Airlines in the fourth quarter of 2008.

The company, which acquired Northwest Airlines in 2008, hopes significant improvement in revenue per available seat mile (RASM) each month of this year as the recovery takes hold.

Delta reveals that its system capacity will be lowered by 3 percent to 5 percent in the first quarter of this year.