Airlines post 6 percent profit margin in second quarter

U.S. airlines made more than $2 billion in profits in the second quarter of 2012, according to statistics released Tuesday by the Department of Transportation.

The DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that 10 largest U.S. airlines earned $2.3 billion in the three-month period from the beginning of April until the end of June. The total is a 6 percent increase over the airline industry's profits during the same period last year, the agency said.

The most profitable airline was United, which made $583 million. The second most profitable company was Southwest Airlines, which brought in $460 million.

Rounding out the top earners in the airline industry were US Airways, which made $395 million in profits, and Delta, which brought in $368 million. 

The airline industry's second quarter profits included $931 million in baggage fees and $661 million generated by reservation changes.

The full report on the airline industry's earnings and expenses can be read here.

-This post was updated with new information at 6:54 p.m.