Global airlines industry is projected to see a "record profit" of USD 35.6 billion this year, but the earnings are expected to be lower at USD 29.8 billion in 2017 as conditions become difficult with higher oil prices, IATA said today.
IATA, the global grouping that represents around 265 airlines, said the profitability outlook for this year has been revised downwards owing to "slower global GDP growth and rising costs".
In June 2016, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) projected the airlines industry to rake in a profit of USD 39.4 billion. Still, this year's estimated profit number would be slightly higher than USD 35.3 billion seen in 2015.
"This year we expect airlines to earn USD 35.6 billion. It is a record profit, even if slightly less than our original expectation," IATA Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said.
He was speaking at the Global Media Day organised by IATA here, where the grouping also came out with its latest state of the industry and economic outlook.
According to IATA, expected higher oil prices would have the biggest impact on profitability outlook for 2017.
Fuel is expected to account for 18.7 per cent of the industry's cost structure in 2017, which would be significantly below the recent peak of 33.2 per cent in 2012-13.
"Even though conditions in 2017 will be more difficult with rising oil prices, we see the industry earning USD 29.8 billion. That is a very soft landing and safely in profitable territory," de Juniac said.
The projected profit figure on the basis of forecast total revenues of USD 736 billion would represent a 4.1 per cent net profit margin.
"A net profit of USD 29.8 billion in 2017 will mean eight years in the black for the industry. And it will be the third year in row where the return on invested capital (7.9 per cent) will exceed the cost of capital (6.9 per cent)," de Juniac said.
This year, oil prices averaged USD 44.6/barrel (Brent) and the same is expected to rise to USD 55 in 2017. "This will push jet fuel prices from USD 52.1/barrel (2016) to USD 64.9/barrel (2017)," IATA said.
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