US airlines deliver a 0.1% profit margin as government-induced havoc looms

US airlines moved closer to the razor's edge during 2012 after collectively recording a profit margin of 0.1%. While the 10 largest airlines in the country may be commended for sustaining a three-year profit streak amidst record high fuel prices, they could find it tough to find creative ways to continue to achieve profitability as the potential to tap ancillary revenues reaches its peak.

On top of the seemingly everlasting threat of fuel price volatility, US carriers also face various forms of pressure from the US government, with looming threats of tax increases, as well as possibly significant operational disruptions triggered by bipartisan stalemate in budget negotiations.

Data compiled by US airline trade group Airlines For America (A4A) show the country's largest carriers earned USD152 million during 2012, a 64% slide from the USD418 million in net income recorded the year prior. ExxonMobil earned around that much each day in 2012.

The 4.7% increase in airline expenses outpaced a 4.5% rise in revenue growth as fuel prices reached an average of USD128 per barrel during 2012. A4A estimates US carriers recorded USD50 billion in fuel costs during 2012, a 28% rise year-over-year.