Airline Profits The International Air Transport Association has knocked 12% off its profit forecast for this year, citing trade tensions and rising interest rates as the causes. "We haven't faced any significant decline in numbers of passengers or cargo related to trade wars or protectionist barriers up to now, but if it continues it will happen," director-general Alexandre de Juniac warned. "Generally, we think...that all these barriers to trade are bad news from an industry standpoint." BBC