British Airways and Aer Lingus Just Made It Rain Profits
What’s the big deal? The airlines’ parent, International Airlines Group (IAG), reported an operating profit of €2 billion for the last quarter of 2024 – a 15.4 % jump from the €1.7 billion it earned a year earlier. That’s enough to make the bricks and mortar of the group feel a little less of a shell.
Why the bump? Strategy hits the mark
- “The effectiveness of our strategy and group‑wide transformation” – Luis Gallego said, and he’s not spinning a yarn.
- Fuel prices fell 4.2 %, thanks to lower average costs and the rollout of newer, more efficient aircraft.
- Total revenue climbed to €9.3 billion, a 7.9 % increase over 2023.
Margin is the new happy‑hour
Operating profit margins topped 21.6 % this quarter – a tidy break from last year’s figures. That’s a tangible sign that the airline’s “big picture” plans are paying off.
What’s next? The final quarter looks good
“Demand remains strong across our airlines,” Gallego added. “We expect a good final quarter of 2024 financially,” he said, hinting that the holiday rush could bring even more birds into the runway.
Quick Take‑away
With profitability up, fuel costs down, and revenue increasing, British Airways and Aer Lingus are flying high, proving that a solid strategy and efficient planes really do make the difference.
