United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said on Wednesday at the BERSTEIN investor conference that with oil prices retreating and demand proving resilient, the carrier is gradually recouping the hit from elevated fuel costs and he is increasingly confident United can achieve double-digit pre-tax margins next year. Kirby said the airline had been on track to post double-digit margins this year before the Iran situation pushed fuel prices higher. He added that lower oil prices have reduced the revenue thr

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said on Wednesday at the BERSTEIN investor conference that with oil prices retreating and demand proving resilient, the carrier is gradually recouping the hit from elevated fuel costs and he is increasingly confident United can achieve double-digit pre-tax margins next year. Kirby said the airline had been on track to post double-digit margins this year before the Iran situation pushed fuel prices higher. He added that lower oil prices have reduced the revenue threshold needed to fully offset the fuel-cost shock and that the process of reaching 100% recovery is likely progressing.