Airlines
IATA Downgrades Airlines’ Net Profit Outlook for 2019
The industry association blames rising costs and trade tensions for the likely fall in airline profitability.

The International Air Transport Association upheld its outlook that 2019 will mark the tenth year of profit and the fifth consecutive year where airlines deliver a return on capital that exceeds the industry’s cost of capital. However, profits will come in lower than initially expected due to rising costs and a weakening of world trade. IATA said on Sunday that net income for 2019 will likely total $28 billion, which is almost a fifth lower on its initial forecast of $35.5 billion released in December.