Modest global growth predicted by IATA but main winners will be airlines in the Middle East and Asia

Continuing the trend that has been prevalent for many quarters, although the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is predicting a modest improvement in its outlook for the 2013 financial performance of the global airline industry, airlines in the Middle East and Asia are expected to outperform the rest of the world. IATA now expects airlines to produce a combined net post-tax profit margin of 1.6% (up from the previously forecast 1.3%) with a net post-tax profit of $10.6 billion (up from the previously projected $8.4 billion). “Industry profits are taking a small step in the right direction. Against a backdrop