Trade group expects U.S. airlines to stay profitable in 2008

By TERRY MAXON / The Dallas Morning News

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The Air Transport Association predicted Friday that the U.S. airline industry will earn $3.5 billion to $4.5 billion in 2008 despite higher fuel prices.

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If so, it would give U.S. carriers their first three years of profitability since 1998-2000, the airline trade group said.

“In the face of uninspiring forecasts for the U.S. economy and yet another record year for crude-oil prices, the nation’s carriers have moved aggressively to redeploy assets and adjust aircraft utilization to trim unprofitable flying,” said John Heimlich, ATA vice president and chief economist.

“All signs point to another year of improving fuel efficiency, despite air traffic congestion and resultant taxi-out and airborne delays,” he said.

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