The aviation industry has always been characterized by instability and dependence on dozens of external factors, and the airlines themselves were constantly in suspense, trying to make a profit. The pandemic made the situation worse, but the subsequent surge in demand and aggressive, sometimes forced cost-cutting measures allowed some carriers to “come back”.
Top 5 largest passenger airlines in the world by revenue in 2022.< /p>
It should be noted that in 2019, this list was completely dominated by American carriers. However, COVID-19 has shuffled the cards, and several new players have appeared in the leaders of 2022.
5th place — Southwest Airlines
Dallas-based Southwest Airlines may not be well-known outside of North America, but one of the early low-cost carriers has long been profitable. Despite the fact that in 2020 the company broke a ten-year profitability bottom, it was able to recover quietly in early 2022. The carrier posted a net profit of $723 million last year. This is well below pre-pandemic levels, but the trend is moving in the right direction. It can be predicted that this year the airline should be doing well.
4th place — International Aviation Holding IAG
IAG is the parent company of British Airways, Iberia, Vueling and several other European airlines. The group announced a profit of 1.22 billion euros for 2022 and set a goal of doubling this figure in 2023. Huge profits have allowed IAG to outperform its main European competitors, but the pandemic has negatively affected the holding's finances, and its recovery looks protracted due to high debts.
3rd place — Lufthansa Group
The second European giant — Lufthansa Group — in 2022 made a profit of 1.5 billion euros, offsetting multibillion-dollar losses in two years. As the parent company of Austrian Airlines, SWISS, Eurowings and others, the group has bases all over the continent and its network covers almost every locality. The carrier claims it has successfully overcome airspace restrictions, high fuel costs and lockdowns in key Asian markets in 2022, meaning the German group could benefit even more this year.
2 place — Turkish Airlines
The Turkish flag carrier ended 2022 with impressive numbers, with profit coming in first place. Turkish Airlines recorded a profit of $2.7 billion, with passenger numbers just 3% below pre-COVID-19 levels, and the former route network is almost restored. Thanks to the passenger traffic at Istanbul Airport, the airline has once again firmly established itself as a major player in the connecting transportation market.
1st place — Delta Air Lines
The prize for the most profitable airline in the world goes to none other than Delta Air Lines. The Atlanta-based mega-carrier recorded a net profit of $3.6 billion in 2022. This is only 7.8% less than in 2019. While other U.S. airlines have struggled, Delta has managed to return to its pre-pandemic performance and regain its top spot in profitability. This was not even prevented by business travelers, who sank the hardest.
It remains an open question whether anyone in the near future will be able to surpass the Delta; margin and total profit.