Airlines
IATA Raises Airline Profit Forecast Again
Record $33 billion net profit for 2015 finally surpasses cost of investor capital
IATA director general Tony Tyler characterizes the air transport industry's improved financial performance as "fragile." (Photo: Rick Adams)
IATA director general Tony Tyler characterizes the air transport industry's improved financial performance as "fragile." (Photo: Rick Adams)

The world’s airlines will post record net profits of some $33 billion in 2015, exceeding the cost of capital for the first time, according to a revised forecast by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). But despite the sixth consecutive year of airline profitability since the 2008-2009 recession, the financials remain “fragile,” according to IATA director general and CEO Tony Tyler. “We should enjoy the benign trading conditions while they last but not get used to them,” he noted in remarks during IATA’s December 10 global media day in Geneva.