Global airline industry’s revenue projected to rise 4.5 pc to over $1 trillion in 2026
New Delhi, Dec 9 (LatestNewsX) – According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the world’s airline revenue is projected to hit $1.053 trillion in 2026, a 4.5 % jump from the $1.008 trillion forecast for 2025.
The return on invested capital (ROIC) is expected to hold steady at 6.8 % for 2026, unchanged from last year. “Despite deleveraging and improved operating profitability, ROIC is expected to remain below the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) estimated to be 8.2 % in 2026,” IATA added.
Total net profit for airlines is slated to rise to $41 billion this year, up from $39.5 billion in 2025, setting a new high. The net‑profit margin should stay the same as the current year’s 3.9 %. Profit per passenger transported is forecast to fall to $7.90 from the 2023 peak of $8.50.
Operating profit across the sector is slated for $72.8 billion, marking a growth of more than 8 % over $67.0 billion in 2025, and a net operating margin of 6.9 %—an improvement over the 6.6 % expected for 2025.
Passenger numbers are projected to grow by 4.4 %, reaching 5.2 billion in 2026. The association notes that load factors should keep breaking records, as seat accuracy is expected to hit 83.8 % next year.
Cargo volumes are on pace to reach 71.6 million tonnes, a 2.4 % increase over 2025.
“Airlines are expected to generate a 3.9 % net margin and a $41 billion profit in 2026. That’s extremely welcome news considering the headwinds that the industry faces—rising costs from bottlenecks in the aerospace supply chain, geopolitical conflict, sluggish global trade, and growing regulatory burdens among them,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
IATA also reports that new aircraft deliveries began to pick up in late 2025, with production poised to accelerate next year. “Demand is forecast to outstrip the availability of aircraft and engines. The normalisation of the structural mismatch between airline requirements and production capacity is unlikely before 2031‑2034 due to irreversible losses on deliveries over the past five years and a record‑high order backlog,” the body highlighted.
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