Airline profits go up in 3rd quarter of FY13: IATA

Says most regions experienced better financial performance despite weak global economy, higher fuel prices

Profits of airlines in most parts of the world in the third quarter of this financial year have gone up compared to the same period last year, indicating optimism in the global financial markets, International Air Transport Association (IATA) has said.

"Most regions experienced better financial performance in Q3, despite a weak global economy and relatively high fuel prices," IATA said in its Airlines Financial Monitor for November and December 2012.

"This strong performance is attributable to the restructuring and consolidation efforts of airlines in the US, and cost-cutting measures to counter high fuel prices by European airlines," the latest study said.

Quoting global financial indexes, IATA said global airlines, including those from Asia, showed an upward trend since late September with European airlines' shares experiencing the strongest rise, up 55%.

"Asia Pacific airlines' shares also gained over the month, but prices have been largely subdued throughout 2012, hampered by weak air cargo demand," it said.

Jet fuel prices remained stable over the last two months, but the levels were still high and close to $130 per barrel, the IATA study said.

Air freight demand surged in November, while passenger volumes continued to rise steadily, stabilising passenger yields over the rates last year. While freight load factors improved in November, passenger loads were still close to record levels, it said.

The "most notable turnaround" was for European airlines, which reversed their earlier losses to record a 36% increase in Q3 profits compared to a year ago. In the US, airlines saw profits increase by more than 75% in Q3 on a year ago, the IATA study showed.