On December 9, local time, the International Air Transport Association released the latest financial outlook for the global aviation industry. Despite persistent bottlenecks in the aviation supply chain, industry profits have stabilized. In 2026, global airlines are expected to achieve a total net profit of 41 billion US dollars, a record high. According to the International Aviation Association's forecast, the total industry revenue in 2026 is expected to be 1.054 trillion US dollars, up 4.5% year on year. Passenger traffic in 2026 is expected to reach 5.2 billion passengers, but the average net profit per passenger is 7.90 US dollars, which is lower than the historical high of 8.50 US dollars in 2023, which is the same as 2025. “The airline industry contributes nearly 4% of GDP to the global economy, supporting 87 million jobs, yet the industry's profit margins are thin,” said Willie Walsh, Chairman of the International Air Transport Association. “Apple makes more money by selling an iPhone case than the $7.90 an airline makes when transporting a passenger.”

On December 9, local time, the International Air Transport Association released the latest financial outlook for the global aviation industry. Despite persistent bottlenecks in the aviation supply chain, industry profits have stabilized. In 2026, global airlines are expected to achieve a total net profit of 41 billion US dollars, a record high. According to the International Aviation Association's forecast, the total industry revenue in 2026 is expected to be 1.054 trillion US dollars, up 4.5% year on year. Passenger traffic in 2026 is expected to reach 5.2 billion passengers, but the average net profit per passenger is 7.90 US dollars, which is lower than the historical high of 8.50 US dollars in 2023, which is the same as 2025. “The airline industry contributes nearly 4% of GDP to the global economy, supporting 87 million jobs, yet the industry's profit margins are thin,” said Willie Walsh, Chairman of the International Air Transport Association. “Apple makes more money by selling an iPhone case than the $7.90 an airline makes when transporting a passenger.”