Head of IATA issues warning as trade tensions hit forecasts

The head of the International Air Transport Association has warned of lower industry forecasts for 2019. Alexandre de Juniac, IATA director general issued the warning due to increasing trade tensions and higher costs. Late last year, the IATA forecasted “cautious optimism” to extend into 2019 as it trimmed its 2019 global airline industry profit forecast to $35.5 billion from $38 billion after $32.3 billion in 2018. This was down from the expected net profit of $33.8 billion advised in June 2018.