International Airlines in Australia - Market Research Report (2013-2028)
Melbourne, Australia
Last Updated: August 2023
ANZSIC I4901Revenue
$27.9bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XX.Xm
Employees
53,396
Businesses
58
Wages
$X.Xbn
International Airlines in Australia industry analysis
The pandemic decimated the International Airlines industry, but the industry is now on the rebound. Notwithstanding airfreight transport, the industry's services were essentially non-existent while international borders were shut. For an extended period, international air travel was limited to flights for repatriation and migration purposes. The industry's airfreight services segment has offered some reprieve to international airlines over the period, supported by soaring airfreight prices. The industry has begun its ascent since many international borders reopened in early 2020, which is why industry revenue is set to climb by 71.8% in 2022-23. Overall, industry revenue has declined at an annualised 2.5% over the past five years to reach $27.9 billion.Like revenue, the pandemic also caused a sharp decline in average profit margins, with international airlines making significant losses while heavy restrictions on international air travel were in place. International airlines incur high fixed costs, which surged as a share of revenue amid dismal demand conditions. Airlines have begun to turn their profitability woes around by raising airfares and carefully expanding capacity. While this strategy is slowing down the recovery in international passenger numbers and revenue, international airlines' primary focus is to restore profit margins to positive territory. Nonetheless, subdued demand conditions and high aviation fuel prices continue to squeeze profit margins despite drastically improving operating conditions since borders reopened.Revenue for the International Airlines industry is set to rise at an annualised 4.4% over the next five years to reach $34.5 billion. International travel has strong underlying demand and has traditionally recovered quickly after periods of shock-driven decline. Nonetheless, lingering disruptions caused by the pandemic will prolong the industry's recovery. For instance, ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and potential new outbreaks in China will slow the recovery in inbound arrivals from international travellers, as China is a key tourism market for Australia. As demand conditions and airline capacity gradually normalise, industry profitability will trend upward to pre-pandemic benchmarks. However, high fuel prices, particularly early in the period, are set to exert strong downward pressure on profit margins.
Trends and Insights
- The pandemic decimated the International Airlines industry. Revenue plummeted once international borders shut, with operators making significant losses as fix costs mounted.
- Freight transport is a growing service segment. Freight transport was the primary source of revenue for international airlines during pandemic-induced border closures.
- Most industry activity occurs in Sydney. The spread of industry activity largely follows the distribution of Australia’s major international airports.
- Industry competition has intensified in recent years. Price competition has heated up as the number of international airlines operating routes to and from Australia increases, and many existing airlines expand capacity.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 2.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $27.9bn in 2023.
Trends and Insights
Careful capacity expansion is driving the recovery in international airline's profit margins
- The International Airlines industry incurred significant losses due to the combination of mounting fixed costs and severely constrained revenue during the period of international border closures.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
International airlines will take several years to recover from the pandemic completely
- International passenger numbers are set to remain below levels exhibited before the pandemic for a couple more years. Some lingering restrictions overseas and ongoing fears surrounding international travel related to COVID-19 will subdue demand for international air travel.
Biggest companies in the International Airlines in Australia
| Company | Market Share (%)
2023 | Revenue ($m)
2023 |
|---|---|---|
Qantas | 8,701.4 | |
Singapore Airlines | 3,880.8 | |
Emirates | 1,942.0 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 9 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Full-fare passenger transport, Low-fare passenger transport and Air freight transport. Full-fare passenger transport is the largest segment of the International Airlines in Australia.
Trends and Insights
Full-fare passenger transport is recovering strongly from the pandemic-induced downturn
- Full-fare passenger transport often includes amenities as part of the airfare, like spacious seating, complimentary hot meals and in-flight entertainment. Traditional full-service carriers like Qantas and Singapore Airlines are often more appealing to customers travelling internationally due to the long duration of flights.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- There are no industries to display.
Complementors
- Aircraft Manufacturing and Repair Services in Australia
- Domestic Airlines in Australia
- Non-Scheduled Air Transport in Australia
- Travel Agency and Tour Arrangement Services in Australia
International industries
- Global Airlines
- International Airlines in the US
- Scheduled Air Transportation in Canada
- Airlines in New Zealand
- Scheduled Passenger Air Transport in the UK
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The industry primarily transports passengers by air over scheduled routes that either end or originate internationally. Airlines that provide scheduled international air freight transport are also included in the industry.
What's included in this industry?
Full-fare passenger transportLow-fare passenger transportAir freight transportAir transport terminal operation (except airports)Companies
QantasSingapore AirlinesEmiratesPurchase this report to view all 9 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITYAPRON PARKINGCODESHARINGPASSENGER LOAD FACTORFUEL HEDGINGIndustry Code
ANZSIC 4900 - International Airlines in Australia
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The pandemic decimated the International Airlines industry. Revenue plummeted once international borders shut, with operators making significant losses as fix costs mounted.
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Freight transport is a growing service segment. Freight transport was the primary source of revenue for international airlines during pandemic-induced border closures.
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2023
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2023
- Major market segmentation in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Most industry activity occurs in Sydney. The spread of industry activity largely follows the distribution of Australia’s major international airports.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2023
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Industry competition has intensified in recent years. Price competition has heated up as the number of international airlines operating routes to and from Australia increases...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Qantas is the largest airline in Australia, operating in the industry through its flagship Qantas airline and its low fare carrier, Jetstar. The national carrier has an exten...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
- Overview of Qantas's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Singapore Airlines's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Emirates's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 6 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Qantas, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Singapore Airlines, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Emirates, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 6 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
International airlines are heavily regulated. Most industry regulation is focused on enhancing aviation safety and ensuring fair competition between airlines.
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Airlines are recovering from dismal profit margins during the pandemic. Now that restrictions have eased, operators are focusing on restoring profitability through careful ca...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
- Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Average Wage (2013-2028)
- Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
- Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2013-2028)
- IVA (2013-2028)
- Establishments (2013-2028)
- Enterprises (2013-2028)
- Employment (2013-2028)
- Exports (2013-2028)
- Imports (2013-2028)
- Wages (2013-2028)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Australia include:
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Australian Taxation Office
- Australian Securities & Investments Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the International Airlines industry in Australia in 2024?
The market size of the International Airlines industry in Australia is $27.9bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the International Airlines in Australia industry in 2023?
There are 58 businesses in the International Airlines industry in Australia, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.6 % between 2018 and 2023.
Has the International Airlines industry in Australia grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the International Airlines industry in Australia has been declining at a CAGR of 2.5 % between 2018 and 2023.
What is the forecast growth of the International Airlines industry in Australia over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the International Airlines industry in Australia is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the International Airlines market in Australia?
The biggest companies operating in the International Airlines market in Australia are Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Emirates
What does the International Airlines in Australia include?
Full-fare passenger transport and Low-fare passenger transport are part of the International Airlines industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the International Airlines in Australia?
The company holding the most market share in Australia is Qantas.
How competitive is the International Airlines industry in Australia?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the International Airlines industry in Australia.
