Willie Walsh

IATA Director Willie Walsh on Rising Cost of Jet Fuel

Global airlines slash 2026 profit forecast on fuel shock from Iran war

Global airlines slash 2026 profit forecast on fuel shock from Iran war Airlines are also expected to cut unprofitable routes to protect margins, while fares, which have surged since the start of the Iran war, are unlikely to fall soon, IATA Director General Willie Walsh said. The global airline industry nearly halved its 2026 profit forecast on Sunday (Jun 7), citing conflict in the Middle East that has driven up fuel costs, disrupted key air corridors and exposed the fragility of a sector...

Airline profits set to halve this year as fuel costs jump by $100 billion: IATA

The International Air Transport Association warned that global airlines can expect to see profits plunge by half in 2026 as the rising cost of jet fuel continues to squeeze the industry. Oil prices jumped and jet fuel costs soared after the U.S.-Iran conflict began on Feb. 28, noted IATA's outgoing director general Willie Walsh, adding to the challenges he said airlines have faced in recent years from the Covid-19 pandemic to the war in Ukraine. "As a result, we expect average jet fuel...

Airline industry chiefs say 2050 net zero goal now unlikely

Iata boss Willie Walsh blames fuel suppliers, governments and aircraft makers, saying new ‘realistic timeline’ now neededAir fare rises ‘inevitable’ as airlines face extra $100bn jet fuel billThe aviation industry’s landmark pledges to be net zero by 2050 will probably not now be achieved, airline leaders have admitted. The collective goal to eliminate net carbon emissions was declared by global airlines only five years ago in 2021, with similar pledges made by national aviation industry...

Airline industry chiefs say 2050 net zero goal now unlikely

Iata boss Willie Walsh blames fuel suppliers, governments and aircraft makers, saying new ‘realistic timeline’ now neededAir fare rises ‘inevitable’ as airlines face extra $100bn jet fuel billThe aviation industry’s landmark pledges to be net zero by 2050 will probably not now be achieved, airline leaders have admitted. The collective goal to eliminate net carbon emissions was declared by global airlines only five years ago in 2021, with similar pledges made by national aviation industry...

Airline industry chiefs say 2050 net zero goal now unlikely

Iata boss Willie Walsh blames fuel suppliers, governments and aircraft makers, saying new ‘realistic timeline’ now neededAir fare rises ‘inevitable’ as airlines face extra $100bn jet fuel billThe aviation industry’s landmark pledges to be net zero by 2050 will probably not now be achieved, airline leaders have admitted. The collective goal to eliminate net carbon emissions was declared by global airlines only five years ago in 2021, with similar pledges made by national aviation industry...

Global airlines slash 2026 profit forecast on fuel shock from Iran war

Global airlines slash 2026 profit forecast on fuel shock from Iran war Airlines are also expected to cut unprofitable routes to protect margins, while fares, which have surged since the start of the Iran war, are unlikely to fall soon, Walsh said. The global airline industry nearly halved its 2026 profit forecast on Sunday (Jun 7), citing conflict in the Middle East that has driven up fuel costs, disrupted key air corridors and exposed the fragility of a sector operating on thin margins. The...

Air passengers urged to leave bags behind during evacuations in new IATA campaign

Air passengers urged to leave bags behind during evacuations in new IATA campaign A survey commissioned by IATA of recent air travellers in Singapore, the United States, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates found "critical gaps" in safety knowledge. SINGAPORE: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Monday (Jun 8) launched a global passenger safety campaign urging travellers to leave cabin baggage behind during aircraft evacuations.

High fuel costs to trigger airline failures and consolidation, industry chief says

High fuel costs to trigger airline failures and consolidation, industry chief says Airlines are also expected to protect margins by cutting unprofitable routes, while fares, which have surged since the outbreak of the Iran war, are unlikely to come down soon, Walsh said. Soaring jet fuel prices driven by conflict in the Middle East are likely to push more airlines into bankruptcy and spur more sector consolidation this year and next, the head of the global airline body said on Saturday (Jun...

Airlines face profit crash: 2026 earnings nearly halved as fuel shock hits aviation

The global airline industry is set for a sharp downturn in profitability in 2026, with earnings almost halved compared to earlier forecasts, as the ongoing Middle East conflict pushes up fuel prices, disrupts key flight routes and strains airline operations worldwide. The International Air Transport Association said on Sunday that it now expects the industry to post a combined net profit of $23 billion in 2026, sharply down from an earlier estimate of about $41 billion and down from $45...