According to the International Air Transport Association, cumulative airline profits are expected to reach $ 38.4 billion in 2018, up from $ 34.5 billion in 2017.
Has air transport finally defeated the curse of black gold? So far, the growth in airline traffic and profits has been inversely proportional to the price of a barrel of oil. But in 2017, the 10% increase in the price per barrel did not stop the airlines from generating a total net profit of $ 34.5 billion, higher than forecast by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) , at 31 billion, and very close to the level of 2016 (35.3 billion).
And according to IATA forecasts, the continuation of the rise in oil prices next year, which is expected to increase from $ 55 to $ 60 per barrel in 2018, should not prevent airline profits from reaching a record $ 38.4 billion.
Traffic growth remains strong
Airlines continue to surf the growth of global traffic, which exceeded, for the first time this year, 4 billion passengers and is expected to rise to 4.3 billion in 2018.
More than 1,300 new routes have been launched in 2017, especially in China and Europe. And this growth is expected to continue over the long term, with a doubling in the number of passengers by 2036. Strong demand has led to a record fill rate of 81.4% on average and to increase 3% on average the price of airline tickets.
