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Airlines earn minimal profit per passenger amid rising revenues

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Airlines earn minimal profit per passenger amid rising revenues
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International Air Transport Association | Official Website

In 2025, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) expects a global net profit for the airline industry of $36.6 billion, translating to a 3.6% profit margin. The operating profit is anticipated to be $67.5 billion.

Airlines are expected to earn minimal profits per passenger. Middle Eastern carriers are projected to make $23.90 in net profit per passenger in 2025. Globally, IATA estimates an average profit of $7.00 per passenger for the same year.

Regional variations exist in airline profitability:

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Region Profit per Passenger (2024) Profit per Passenger (2025)
Middle East $23.10 $23.90
North America $10.30 $11.80
Europe $8.20 $9.20
Latin America $3.20 $3.80
Asia Pacific $1.80 $1.80
Africa 90¢ $1.00
Global industry average: $6.40 $7.00
"North America continues to be the most significant contributor to industry profits, supported by a high passenger load factor, robust yields, and strong consumer spending despite cost-of-living pressure," IATA reported via Forbes.

Boeing's last profitable year was in 2018 when it earned $19 billion. Since then, it has faced losses due to various crises including the MAX crisis and COVID-19 pandemic impacts on supply chains.

"...the global economy counts on air cargo to deliver the $8 trillion of trade that gets to customers by air,” said Willie Walsh.

Organizations Included in this History
Simple Flying
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