Airlines flying towards record $33 bn profits: IATA

The aviation industry is set to post a second consecutive year of net profits in 2015, nearly doubling them to $33 billion (30.1 billion) thanks to low fuel prices, its trade association said Thursday.

"Our outlook for this year has improved to a 33 billion US dollars net profit," said Tony Tyler, head of the International Air Transport Association.

That is an increase from the $29.3 billion the association had forecast in June.

The 90 percent jump from the record $17.3 billion in profit the industry earned last year is due in part to the sharp reduction in fuel costs as global oil prices have plunged by over 60 percent from highs hit last year.

And the industry expects to have winds at its tail in 2016, with IATA forecasting profits to rise to $36.3 billion, Tyler said.

While the figures are big, the net profit margin is still only 4.6 percent this year for the industry, after years of losses.

But it is not only shareholders, but also customers who are benefitting, said the IATA, as airfares have become more competitive and airlines invested in new aircraft.