Airline financial outlook strengthens $12.9B global net profit expected in 2013

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced an upward revision to its industry financial outlook. For 2013 airlines are expected to return a global net profit of $12.9 billion. This is expected to improve to a net profit of $19.7 billion in 2014. Both are improvements on the September forecast which anticipated an industry net profit of $11.7 billion in 2013 increasing to $16.4 billion in 2014.

The upward revision reflects lower jet fuel prices over the forecast period as well as improvements to the industry’s structure and efficiency already visible in quarterly results this year. Passenger markets continue to outperform the cargo business which remains stagnant both on volumes and revenues.

IATA expects 2014 to be a second consecutive year of strengthening profitability (beginning from 2012 when airlines posted a net profit of $7.4 billion). Industry net profit margins, however, remain weak at 1.1% of revenues in 2012, 1.8% in 2013 and 2.6% in 2014. Within this aggregate forecast for the entire industry, performance of individual airlines and regions will vary considerably.

The anticipated $19.7 billion profit in 2014 would come on projected revenues of $743 billion. While this would be the largest absolute profit for the airline industry—outstripping the $19.2 billion net profit that the industry returned in 2010 – it is important to note that 2010 revenues were $579 billion. The net profit margin in 2010 was 3.3%, some 0.7 percentage points higher than the 2.6% expected for 2014.

“Overall, the industry’s fortunes are moving in the right direction. Jet fuel prices remain high, but below their 2012 peak. Passenger demand is expanding in the 5-6% range—in line with the historical trend. Efficiencies gained through mergers and joint ventures are delivering value to both passengers and shareholders. And product innovations are growing ancillary revenues,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

“We must temper our optimism with an appropriate dose of caution. It’s a tough environment in which to run an airline. Competition is intense and yields are deteriorating. Cargo volumes haven’t grown since 2010 and cargo revenues are back at 2007 levels. The passenger business is expanding more robustly. Some airlines will out-perform our estimates and others will under-perform. But, on average, airlines will only make a net profit of about $5.94 per passenger in 2014,” said Tyler.

IATA outlook forecasts are estimates of the aggregate performance of the global air transport sector and should not be taken as in indicator of individual airline performance which can vary greatly from the global outlook, including variations from its directional shifts.

Forecast Drivers

• Economic Cycle: Global GDP is expected to expand by 2.0% in 2013 and 2.7% in 2014. This is unchanged from the September forecast. The general trend of improvement in developed economies – particularly for the US – and relatively disappointing growth in the BRICS countries is expected to continue into 2014.
• Passenger Demand: Passenger demand is robust and passenger numbers are expected to reach 3.1 billion in 2013 and rise by 6% to 3.3 billion in 2014. Nonetheless, competition remains intense and industry-wide average yields are expected to fall by 0.2% in 2013 and by 0.6% in 2014.
• Ancillary Revenues: Ancillary revenues are a key driver of improved financial performance. Worldwide ancillary revenues have risen to an estimated $13/passenger. Airlines are underpinning their profitability with innovative products and services. On a per passenger basis, ancillary revenues are greater than the $5.94/passenger profit that airlines are expected to earn in 2014. Without ancillaries, the industry would be making a loss from its core seat and cargo products.
• Improved Industry Structure : Improved industry structure and efficiency gains should allow the industry to leverage the improving economic cycle to boost profitability significantly in 2014. Airlines in North America, where consolidation has progressed the furthest, are expected to generate the largest profits and best margins in both 2013 and 2014. European airlines, still suffering from the weak European economy, are expected to see some improvements in profitability from successful joint ventures over the North Atlantic.
• Cargo Demand: Cargo demand remains largely stagnant. Airlines are expected to carry 51.6 million tonnes of cargo in 2013, increasing to 52.5 million tonnes in 2014. This modest increase in demand is expected to be offset by a decline in yields (-2.1% in 2014). Despite the stagnation in the air cargo industry, belly capacity continues to be introduced as airlines seek to maximize on the robust passenger demand. Cargo revenues are expected to be $60 billion in both 2013 and 2014. While revenues peaked in 2011 at $67 billion, for 2013 and 2014 they are basically unchanged from 2007 levels.

The “on-shoring” of production is having an adverse impact on the cargo business. This is being driven by two forces. Since the recession we have seen a rise in protectionist measures by governments aiming to stimulate domestic economies. In tandem the effects of earlier liberalization are fading as costs rise in previously low labor-cost locations. These conditions are likely to extend over several years.

The World Trade Organization’s Bali agreement to liberalize markets and improve trade facilitation is expected to be good news for the air cargo industry. “Removing the red tape that restricts and slows trade is a positive goal. It aligns well with our own efforts to bring efficiency to air cargo through e-Freight,” said Tyler.

• Fuel: A slight reduction in jet fuel prices is a major driver of the improved outlook. Following easing of tensions in Iran, oil prices are expected to see a slight downward movement from $108.2/barrel (Brent) in 2013 to $104.5/barrel in 2014. This is $0.80 and $0.50 less per barrel than previously forecast in September for 2013 and 2014 respectively. This positive trend will be amplified by a reduction in the crack spread of jet fuel resulting in savings of $2 billion in 2013 (to $211 billion) and $5 billion in 2014 (to $210 billion) for the overall industry fuel bill compared to the September forecast.

Regional Variations

Profitability varies greatly by region as well as by airline. All regions are expected to see improvements in profitability in 2014 compared to 2013. With the exception of Africa (which remains unchanged), all regions are expected to see better profitability in 2014 than previously forecast.

• North America: North American airlines are expected to post a $5.8 billion profit in 2013, increasing to $8.3 billion in 2014. In both years North American carriers will outperform the aggregate industry to deliver both the highest absolute profits and the strongest EBIT margins (4.8% in 2013, 6.4% in 2014). Mergers on home markets and joint ventures on some international markets have helped to improve asset utilization to very high levels and generate efficiencies, as well as deliver benefits to passengers from the merged networks. However, higher government fees on airlines and their passengers, as a result of the Congressional budget deal, risk damaging both airlines, investors and passengers.
• Europe: European airlines will see profitability improve in 2014 over 2013. Net profits for 2013 are expected to be $1.7 billion, rising to $3.2 billion in 2014. Efficiencies from joint ventures over the North Atlantic are expected to be a major contributor to this improvement, offsetting slightly the impact of the continuing economic slump across the Eurozone. Despite this near doubling of absolute profits, EBIT margins for the region’s airlines (1.3% in 2013, 2.0% in 2014) are the weakest next to those of Africa. The region remains burdened by high costs, cumbersome regulation and high taxes. For example, the UK government continues to increase its Air Passenger Duty unabated, having just confirmed the next increase to the world’s largest aviation tax in April 2014.
• Asia-Pacific: Asia-Pacific airlines are expected to post a $3.2 billion profit in 2013 which will be a third consecutive year of declining profits. The trend is expected to reverse in 2014 with a slight uptick to $4.1 billion. In both years, the region is expected to deliver the second largest absolute profit. The region’s EBIT margin of 4.1% in 2013 is expected to improve slightly to 4.4% in 2014. The profitability of the region’s airlines is subdued by the ongoing weakness in cargo demand and the impact on supply-demand conditions of an expected delivery of 710 new aircraft next year. The Asia-Pacific carriers are the largest players in global cargo markets with a nearly 40% market share. Home market performance has also been mixed. Despite a shift to a lower economic growth trajectory, China’s domestic market continues to see strong growth in RPKs of 12% or more. India’s domestic market had weakened sharply in line with the economy, but there has been a recent revival of air travel with growth rates back to low double digit figures. Japan, by contrast, has only seen a very low rise in domestic air travel and the size of the market is still not back to pre-tsunami levels.
• Middle East: Middle East airlines are expected to return a net profit of $1.6 billion in 2013, increasing to $2.4 billion in 2014. EBIT margins also continue to improve—from 3.8% in 2013 to 4.7% in 2014.The region’s hubs, particularly in the Gulf, continue to expand in support of growing long-haul connectivity. Strong oil revenues—as oil prices stay high—continue to support travel generated by domestic activity and the development of the tourist industry. The Syrian crisis has not impacted traffic beyond its borders.
• Latin America: Latin America is expected to return a $700 million profit in 2013, increasing to $1.5 billion in 2014. The region’s EBIT margin also continues to improve from 3.1% in 2013 to an expected 5.1% in 2014. Airlines in the region are burdened with infrastructure that is not keeping pace with the growth in demand. While some countries, such as Chile, have worked hard to evolve a policy framework on which airlines can grow and drive economic growth, others have policies which are counterproductive. For example, Mexico has implemented a tax on jet fuel which adds to the industry’s number one cost in contravention of global agreements. Brazil’s import parity pricing for jet fuel has a similar impact. And Venezuela continues to block repatriation of some $2.6 billion of the industry’s cash.
• African Airlines: The outlook for African airlines is unchanged from September with a $100 million loss in 2013 switching to a $100 million profit in 2014. It is the weakest financial performance of any region with an EBIT margin of -0.5% in 2013 improving to 0.7% in 2014. The region’s carriers face stiff competition on intercontinental routes while intra-African connectivity is underdeveloped as a result of market access restrictions. Additionally, high operating costs, heavy taxation and infrastructure deficiencies hamper the region’s airlines. Improving safety remains the top priority for the region. Governments have agreed, through the Abuja declaration, to aim for world class safety by 2015.

Risks

Airlines have made great strides at improving their businesses in the face of very adverse business conditions. Where they have been able to improve the industry structure through mergers and joint ventures, consumers have benefitted with more efficient connectivity and this has translated to improved financial results.

Fuel consumption provides a good example of the efficiencies that airlines are putting in place. In the face of rapidly rising fuel costs, airlines have dramatically improved fuel efficiency. In 2004 airlines transported two billion passengers and 38 million tonnes of cargo using 65 billion gallons of fuel. In 2014 we expect some 3.3 billion travelers and 52 million tonnes of cargo—increases of 64% and 37% respectively. Over the same period fuel uplift has grown by only 17% to 76 billion gallons.

“Airlines have shown that they can rise to the challenges of a difficult trading environment. That’s good news for economies and consumers that depend on global connectivity. But I am increasingly concerned that governments have not fully appreciated the critical role that aviation plays in our connected world. Regulatory and tax burdens incrementally, but significantly, rise year-on-year. Some governments even appear to be backtracking on deregulation and are micro-managing in areas such as passenger rights,” said Tyler.

“In 2014 we will mark 100 years since the first scheduled commercial air service was inaugurated. Over aviation’s first century, our world has changed for the better in many ways. The industry evolved into a powerful draft horse connecting people and growing economies. Governments should keep this in mind when developing policies or deciding taxes. Supporting aviation’s enabling capabilities pays big economic dividends,” said Tyler.