More traffic, but halved profits for airlines in 2026: Industry forecast

Airlines expect to carry more passengers this year but earn only half as much profit as in 2025, as high fuel prices don't appear to be fully deterring travel, according to projections published Sunday.The International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicted its 370 member airlines, which account for 85 percent of global air traffic, will carry 5.1 billion passengers this year.That is up 2.4 percent from 2025, when passenger traffic was estimated to have reached 4.98 billion. The four billio...