The final Q2 2018 airline financial data confirm a decline in airline profitability compared to the same quarter a year ago. Industry-wide cash flows are better than a year ago, but this masks considerable regional differences.
Global airline share prices eased lower in September, despite a 1.0% gain in the North American sub-index and notwithstanding a small gain in global equities overall. Over the past year, North American airline shares continue to outperform the wider equities market.
Oil and jet fuel prices both moved solidly higher in September, driven mainly by supply concerns. Oil prices have risen by around 40% over the past year and jet fuel prices averaged more than US$90bbl in September.
Global (total) passenger yields (base fare only) have moved a little higher in recent months, with premium cabin yields continuing to show more resilience than those of the economy cabin and helping to offset some of the impact of rising input prices.
Passenger demand remained solid into the peak northern hemisphere summer period. Although freight demand has recently eased to a modest pace, yields appear to be holding up.
