Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
"People want to fly."
While demand remains strong, Middle East disruptions and high fuel prices are set to halve airline industry profitability.
Airlines are expected to achieve a combined total net profit of $23.0 billion in 2026, which is roughly half the previously projected $41 billion. It is also roughly half the $45 billion net profit estimate for 2025.
The net profit margin is expected to be 2.0% in 2026, roughly half the previously projected 3.9%. It is also less than half the 4.2% estimate for the 2025 net profit margin.
Net profit per passenger transported is expected to be $4.50, half the $9.10 achieved in 2025.
Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General, offers some analysis on the aviation economic outlook during this interview at the #IATAAGM in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
"People want to fly."
While demand remains strong, Middle East disruptions and high fuel prices are set to halve airline industry profitability.
Airlines are expected to achieve a combined total net profit of $23.0 billion in 2026, which is roughly half the previously projected $41 billion. It is also roughly half the $45 billion net profit estimate for 2025.
The net profit margin is expected to be 2.0% in 2026, roughly half the previously projected 3.9%. It is also less than half the 4.2% estimate for the 2025 net profit margin.
Net profit per passenger transported is expected to be $4.50, half the $9.10 achieved in 2025.
Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General, offers some analysis on the aviation economic outlook during this interview at the #IATAAGM in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
