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Apple will earn more from iPhone cover sales than airlines: IATA chief

Apple will earn more by selling an iPhone cover than the USD 7.90 profit per passenger that airlines will make next year, IATA chief Willie Walsh said on Tuesday, as he highlighted that industry-level margins remain a pittance. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents around 360 carriers worldwide, on Tuesday announced the industry's financial outlook for 2026, wherein the total net profit is projected at USD 41 billion. "Industry-level margins are still a pittance considering the value that airlines create by connecting people and economies. They stand at the core of a value chain that underpins nearly 4 per cent of the global economy and supports 87 million jobs. "Yet Apple will earn more selling an iPhone cover than the USD 7.90 airlines will make transporting the average passenger," Walsh, the Director General of IATA, said. He also mentioned that even within the air transport value chain, airline margins are totally out of balance, particularly when

Global airlines set for record $41 bn profit in 2026 as demand surges: IATA

The global airline industry is projected to rake in a record net profit of USD 41 billion in 2026, higher than USD 39.5 billion expected this year, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The airlines' industry body on Tuesday said India and China will drive the passenger demand in the Asia Pacific region, where net profit is forecast at USD 6.6 billion and the net profit per passenger at USD 3.20 in 2026. Next year, globally, the passenger load factor is pegged at a record 83.8 per cent while the net profit margin is expected at 3.9 per cent even as supply chain issues persist. Announcing the financial outlook for 2026 in Geneva on Tuesday, IATA said total industry revenues are expected to reach USD 1.053 trillion in 2026, up from USD 1.008 trillion anticipated in 2025. The revenues next year are anticipated to outpace operating expenses, which are pegged at USD 981 billion. The net profit per passenger transported is expected to be USD 7.90 in 2026, ...

Global airlines face $11 billion supply chain hit in 2025, says IATA

"Even if you halve the number, it's still a massive drag on the industry," Walsh said in an interview

GST hike to make premium air travel costlier; IATA expresses disappointment

GST on Premium Economy, Business, and First class air travel rises to 18%, while economy fares remain unchanged. IATA expresses disappointment, warning of negative effects on India's aviation sector

Air India Express becomes fourth Indian airline to join global body IATA

Air India Express has joined the IATA as a member, making it the fourth Indian carrier currently to be part of the global airlines' association. The International Airport Transport Association (IATA) represents around 350 airlines that account for about 80 per cent of the global air traffic. In a post on LinkedIn on Wednesday, IATA welcomed the membership of Air India Express, which was launched in 2005 and is the low-cost wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India. "With a fleet of 115 aircraft-75 Boeing 737s and 40 Airbus A320s, the airline operates around 500 daily flights, connecting 38 domestic and 17 international airports across India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia," IATA said. Now, there are four Indian airlines that are IATA members -- Tata Group-owned Air India and Air India Express, IndiGo and SpiceJet. Jet Airways, which stopped flying in April 2019 and is now undergoing a liquidation process, was an IATA member.

IATA proposes raising age limit for commercial pilots to 67 years globally

Global airlines' grouping IATA has proposed increasing the upper age limit to 67 years for pilots who are operating multi-pilot commercial flights. Amid a shortage of available pilots compared to the rising demand spurred by aviation sector growth, the proposal has been made by IATA to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The International Air Transport Association (IATA) represents around 350 airlines worldwide, including Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet. In a working paper titled 'Proposal to Raise the Multi-Pilot Commercial Air Transport Pilot Age Limit to 67 years', IATA said the growth of the aviation industry worldwide is causing the demand for pilots to outstrip supply. "Raising CAT (Commercial Air Transport) pilot age limits to allow more pilots to continue to work is aligned with 15 of the 17 United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including the initiative of the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Programme to ensure a suffici

IATA AGM ends with calls for growth, safety and sustainability in aviation

While addressing the global airline conference on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised India's commitment to becoming a global aviation and innovation hub

Cost of air travel has dropped 40% over a decade, says IATA chief Walsh

The IATA AGM in New Delhi spotlighted aviation costs, airline profits, air cargo trends and trade barriers, with key addresses from PM Modi and IATA Director General Willie Walsh

IATA calls for greater clarity on India's complex aviation tax system

Global airlines' grouping IATA on Tuesday said there needs to be greater certainty in India's taxation system, which is very complex. India is one of the world's fastest growing civil aviation markets and airlines are expanding their fleets and networks to meet the rising demand. IATA Director General Willie Walsh said the rate of growth in the Indian aviation market will be higher than China. Against the backdrop of foreign airlines getting tax notices in recent times, Walsh said the taxation system in India is complex and there needs to be "greater uncertainty". The International Air Transport Association (IATA) represents over 350 airlines globally.

India aims to become $4 billion MRO hub by 2030, says PM Narendra Modi

Welcoming global aviation leaders as the IATA event returned to India after four decades, Modi highlighted the nation's rapid aviation growth

Airline profits to reach $36 bn in 2025 despite supply chain disruptions

Rise in passenger numbers and lower fuel costs drive airline revenue growth, while cargo revenue declines, says IATA

Nothing off the table: ATR open to India manufacturing facility

In March, Airbus announced plans to significantly increase its sourcing of components and services from India, targeting $2 billion annually by 2030

Pakistan still withholding $83 million in airline funds, says IATA

Despite a sharp decline from last year, Pakistan continues to withhold airline revenues as IATA urges governments to honour repatriation agreements and support global connectivity

Curbing air access like shooting yourself in foot: Emirates President

Clark on Sunday said the Indian diaspora forms a large part of Dubai's population, which has grown rapidly over the past decade

Emirates chief slams planemaker 'hand-wringing' over supply chain woes

Leading plane manufacturers Boeing and Airbus are months and years behind on new plane deliveries, frustrating airlines which want to upgrade

Indian aviation market emerging stronger, says IATA's Amitabh Khosla

Indian aviation market is emerging stronger with growth in connectivity, networks and airport infrastructure, and the country also has the potential for producing sustainable aviation fuel, global airlines' grouping IATA said on Sunday. However, the grouping also said that there is a high cost environment in India and also high uncertainty for tax planning. Amitabh Khosla, Country Director India, Nepal & Bhutan at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Sunday said the Indian aviation market is witnessing a significant improvement on the back of emergence of stronger airlines within the country, the growth of connectivity and networks. "We are also seeing significant increase in the airport infrastructure, so it gives a good foundation, a base on which India will build further," he said. At a briefing in the national capital on the sidelines of the World Air Transport Summit (WATS) being organised by IATA, Khosla also said India is one of the largest producers of ...

Airline industry benefiting from lower oil price: IATA head Willie Walsh

The reduction in oil prices is in turn helping drive down ticket prices, said Willie Walsh, the director general of the International Air Transport Association

Asia leads air cargo recovery with 10% growth as global demand soars

Seasonal shipments and falling jet fuel prices boost Asia-Pacific's air cargo demand, with Europe-Asia routes showing 26 consecutive months of expansion

Aviation industry falling behind on net zero target, warns IATA chief

Walsh criticised fuel companies as the "cause of the problem", saying they had ignored their own SAF supply promises

India holds potential to produce sustainable aviation fuel: IATA official

India has the potential to be a key producer of sustainable aviation fuel by utilising its ethanol supplies and availability of lipids feedstocks like non-edible industrial oils, according to a senior official at the global airlines' grouping IATA. With decarbonisation in focus, efforts are being made to reduce emissions and over the years, Indian carriers have operated some flights with a blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and traditional Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF). Hemant Mistry, Director of Net Zero Transition at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), said the ecosystem for SAF has developed but there is more work to be done. "There are some very good opportunities for India right now. One is in terms of SAF feedstocks like agricultural waste... there is a growing understanding on what to do for SAF production. We are talking to a number of companies to understand how we can collaborate... oil companies," Mistry told PTI in a recent interview in Geneva. The .