US airlines are expected to report profits that will make 2015 their best year since before the government deregulated fares and routes in the late 70s.
In the first three quarters of last year, airlines reported nearly US$17.9 billion in net income after taxes, according to the Transportation Department’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
Q4 figures are expected to see 2015 beat 2006, when airline profits hit US$16.5 billion.
Fees alone have boosted the figures; bag fees alone reached US$3.5 billion in 2014.
Industry group Airlines for America says 2015 profits already have allowed airlines to pay down US$6.1 billion in debt, return US$7.7 billion to shareholders and invest US$12 billion in aircraft, entertainment, routes and terminals during the first three quarters of last year.
US airlines are expected to report profits that will make 2015 their best year since before the government deregulated fares and routes in the late 70s.
In the first three quarters of last year, airlines reported nearly US$17.9 billion in net income after taxes, according to the Transportation Department’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
Q4 figures are expected to see 2015 beat 2006, when airline profits hit US$16.5 billion.
Fees alone have boosted the figures; bag fees alone reached US$3.5 billion in 2014.
Industry group Airlines for America says 2015 profits already have allowed airlines to pay down US$6.1 billion in debt, return US$7.7 billion to shareholders and invest US$12 billion in aircraft, entertainment, routes and terminals during the first three quarters of last year.
