OREANDA-NEWS.  At the airline's annual meeting, shareholders approved an advisory vote on Delta's executive compensation (known as "Say on Pay") with a significant majority of the vote, while also ratifying Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors by a similar margin. Shareholders also approved an increase to the maximum number of directors on the board. A stock retention proposal was voted down with less than 23 percent of votes cast.

"Delta's shareholders continue to recognize the success of the airline's strategy," said Delta Board Chairman Dan Carp. "We will continue to build on the momentum that has driven outstanding results for our shareholders and has made Delta a great place to work for our employees and the airline our customers want to fly." 

Delta's strategy is producing the industry's best employee relations, customer service and financial performance. Employees have received pay increases, more than USD 500 million in profit sharing payments for 2013, and USD 1.4 billion toward defined benefit and defined contribution plans in 2013. Customers are experiencing the results of the company's significant investments in operational reliability and more than USD 2.5 billion in new aircraft, products, facilities and technology. Shareholders are enjoying strong earnings growth, an improving balance sheet, a stock price that has more than doubled in the last year and more than USD 700 million of cash returns through dividends and share buybacks.