A4A: US carriers report collective net profit of USD8.7bn in 1H2015

Airlines for America (A4A) stated (18-Aug-2015) the 10 biggest US carriers reported a collective net profit of USD8.7 billion and a net margin of 11.2% in 1H2015. The carriers include Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines and Virgin America. A4A noted the year-over-year improvement was driven almost entirely by lower fuel costs, which dropped 34% year-over-year. Wages and benefits rose 10.2% year-over-year in 1H2015, while 1H2015 capital expenditures for US carriers totaled USD8.5 billion. The 10 carriers are collectively slated to take delivery of 367 new aircraft in 2015. A4A noted, "Six years post-recession, airlines are finally realizing profit margins that are on par with the S&P 500 average, a barometer of US corporate performance." [more - original PR]