The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced an upgrade of its industry profit expectations to $6.9 billion (up from $4.0 billion projected in June), but has emphasised that, despite the improvements, profitability at these levels is still exceptionally weak (1.2 per cent net margin) considering the industry’s total revenues of $594 billion. Also, in its first look at 2012, IATA is projecting profits to fall to $4.9 billion on revenues of $632 billion for a net margin of just 0.8 per cent.
“Airlines are going to make a little more money in 2011 than we thought. That is good news. Given the strong headwinds of high oil prices and economic uncertainty, remaining in the black is a great achievement,” said Tony Tyler, Director General and Chief Executive Officer, IATA. “But we should keep the improvement in perspective. The $2.9 billion bottom line improvement is equal to about a half a percent of revenue. And the margin is a paltry 1.2 per cent. Airlines are competing in a very tough environment. And 2012 will be even more difficult.”
IATA’s forecast is built around global projected GDP growth of 2.5 per cent in 2011 falling to 2.4 per cent in 2012. Airline financial performance is closely linked to the health of world economies and previously whenever GDP growth has slowed below 2.0 per cent the airline industry has lost money. “We will be perilously close to that level at least through 2012,” highlighted Tyler. “The industry is brittle. Any shock has the potential to put us in the red.”
In its forecast for the full year IATA is confident of strong passenger growth, acknowledging demand has been stronger than anticipated given the gloomy economic outlook. The forecast for the year stands at 5.9 per cent growth (up from 4.4 per cent projected in June). In the year to July, passenger volumes were up over 6 per cent on previous levels. This would bring total passenger numbers to 2.833 billion (up from the previous forecast of 2.793 billion).
IATA says that World trade basically stopped growing at the end of 2010 but that the strong travel trend in 2011 is built on residual confidence from economic optimism at the beginning of the year. However, while some economies may be more durable - China for example - the overall outlook is for a weaker end to 2011.
Meanwhile, IATA notes that air freight has stagnated since the start of the year and it has slashed its full-year volume growth projection from 5.5 per cent to just 1.4 per cent. Airlines are expected to carry 46.4 million tonnes of cargo in 2011 (down from the previous forecast of 48.2 million). Air freight volumes reached their post-recession peak in May 2010, largely driven by re-stocking, according to IATA. July’s traffic was 4 per cent lower than that level and it therefore appears unlikely that a revival in air freight will begin before 2012.
Airlines have managed though to restore passenger load factors back to the 2010 highs and by July the global passenger load factor stood at 83.1 per cent. Airlines met the better than expected passenger demand with more intense asset utilization, but as much of this capacity also came with belly space for cargo, the freight load factor sank to 45.0 per cent by July.
Tighter supply and demand conditions in passenger markets over the first half of the year are expected to offset the impact of a weaker second half. As a result IATA’s passenger yield growth projection has remained unchanged at 3.0 per cent. However, an oversupply of belly cargo capacity is expected to see no improvement in freight yields in 2011 (down from a previous projection of 4.0 per cent growth).
IATA says industry revenue projections are relatively unchanged. Stronger passenger markets will see passenger revenues rise to $464 billion (up $7 billion from the June forecast), while weaker freight markets will see freight revenue projections fall to $67 billion (down $5 billion compared to the June forecast).
Oil prices have remained consistent with the previous forecast of $110/barrel (Brent Crude). This is 39 per cent higher than the $79.4 average price of 2010 and as a result a total industry fuel bill of $176 billion for the year will account for 30 per cent of industry costs.
Looking from a geographical perspective, North American carriers are expected to deliver a net profit of $1.5 billion (+$300 million compared to the June forecast), although IATA says the weak US economy continues to put a damper on the potential for profitability improvements. The region’s EBIT margin of 3.0 per cent of revenues ranks only second to that of Latin America (at 3.4 per cent).
European carriers have gained the most from the stronger than expected traffic. This has been fueled by the weak Euro which has encouraged inbound tourism and provided a boost to export markets and IATA forecasts that the region’s carriers are expected to deliver a profit of $1.4 billion (up $900 million compared to the June forecast). The region’s continuing challenges are clearly seen in the projected EBIT margin of 1.5 per cent, the weakest outside of Africa.
Asia Pacific carriers are expected to return a $2.5 billion profit in 2011 (+$400 million on the June forecast). While this is the largest absolute profit, the region has also seen the most dramatic downturn compared to 2010 when the region delivered $8 billion profit. The weakness of air cargo markets is clearly disproportionately affecting airlines from this region owing to the larger share of cargo in their revenues. The shocks from the Japanese earthquake and tsunami also clearly continue to affect supply chains and cargo markets (in which Asia Pacific carriers have the largest market share). However, IATA says a strong rebound is expected late in the year continuing into 2012.
Middle East carriers are the second largest beneficiary of the better than expected passenger demand. The region’s carriers are expected to make $800 million, up from the $100 million projected in June. Holding up against potential demand shocks associated with political instability, the region’s carriers grew passenger traffic 8.3 per cent compared to a capacity increase of 9.0 per cent in the first seven months of this year. An EBIT margin of 3.0 per cent is projected by IATA.
Latin American carriers are expecting profits of $600 million (up from the $100 million projected in June) and an EBIT margin of 3.4 per cent (the strongest among regions). The continent continues to benefit from very strong economic growth partly due to commodity exports to China and North America.
African carriers are expected to break even, from a $100 million loss previously forecast. While parts of the continent’s economy continue to grow robustly, the challenges of political unrest in North Africa continue to severely dent traffic and overall performance and the expected EBIT margin of 0.7 per cent is the weakest among the regions.
Looking forward to 2012, the overall industry outlook grows weaker. Debt-burdened Western economies look set for an extended period of weak economic growth - or worse, according to IATA. While developing economies look to be in much better shape, the prospects for industry growth are limited because many of their strongest transport links are with developed nations. The fourth quarter of 2011 and the first half of 2012 may well see the weakest point for air transport markets, says IATA.
“It looks like we are headed for another year in the doldrums. With business confidence declining, it is difficult to see any potential for significant profitable growth. Relatively stronger economic growth and some rebound in cargo will help Asia Pacific airlines to maintain their 2012 profits close to 2011 levels at $2.3 billion. The rest of the industry will see declining profitability. And the worst hit is expected to be Europe where the economic crisis means the industry is only expected to return a combined profit of $300 million. A long slow struggle lies ahead,” explained Tyler.
“As governments seek to re-start troubled economies, a strategic approach to aviation policy would deliver broad economic benefits. Every plane that takes off is a catalyst for economic growth and prosperity. Governments must carefully evaluate the negative impact of the current high levels of taxation, absolutely resist increases or new taxes, and develop policies that support aviation’s growth with efficient infrastructure. Time and again aviation has shown its resilience. People need and want to travel. Now is the time to harness the economic possibilities that this presents,” he added.
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