Industry Experts Weigh in on Sustainability, Safety, and Regulation

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released its 2026 forecast, which predicts a global airline net profit of $41 billion. However, the organization warns of widening profit margins between regions, with Middle Eastern airlines significantly outperforming their European and African counterparts. IATA also criticizes the EU’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandates for failing to address supply issues, and the industry’s failure to achieve ambitious climate targets. The organization’s Chief Economist, Marie Owens Thomsen, emphasized the need for increased renewable energy production capacity to meet the EU’s goal of using 70% SAF by 2025.