Investing.com -- United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said on Wednesday he is increasingly confident the carrier can reach double-digit pretax margins next year, as easing oil prices and resilient demand help it recover from higher fuel costs.

Speaking at a Bernstein investor conference, Kirby said United was on track to deliver double-digit margins this year before the Iran war drove up fuel prices. He said lower oil prices have reduced the hurdle for the airline to fully recover the fuel hit through revenue, adding that the path to 100% recovery was likely moving forward.

Kirby said demand has remained strong and that he feels good about the near term.

The CEO also announced that United plans to have Starlink on its entire fleet by next year. He said Starlink on 100% of the fleet will be the biggest differentiator for United versus every other airline.