The total profit of the world's airlines in 2024 will reach a record $30.5 billion as passenger traffic grows to 5 billion people , which will significantly exceed the maximum figures of the pre-pandemic 2019. This was announced by Willie Walsh, Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
„In a world of increasing uncertainty, airlines continue to increase their profitability. The projected total net income of $30.5 billion in 2024 is quite an achievement given the recent heavy losses from the pandemic. With a record 5 billion air passengers expected this year, demand for flights has never been greater”, Walsh said at the opening of the IATA General Assembly in Dubai.
In this way, the association increased its previous forecast, according to which the total profits of the airlines in 2024 are expected to be 27.4 billion dollars, in particular, the turnover of passenger air transport will amount to 744 billion dollars. which is 15.2% more than in 2023. According to the current forecast, the demand for passenger transport will grow by 3.8% per year for the next 10 years.
At the same time, the IATA chief stressed that cargo revenue in 2024 will fall to $120 billion, down from $138 billion in 2023, down from a peak in 2021 ., when freight revenue reached $210 billion, but exceeded the pre-pandemic 2019 level of an estimated $101 billion. The association previously predicted that freight turnover in 2024 would be $111 billion.
According to IATA, air transport spending this year will also reach a record $936 billion, with fuel costs in particular accounting for $291 billion, or 31% of operating costs, based on the price of a barrel. jet fuel at $113 per barrel.