Jan 12 (Reuters) - American Airlines Group Inc (AAL.O) on Thursday forecast a higher fourth-quarter profit on strong demand for travel during the key holiday season, sending its shares up more than 5% in premarket trading.

The upbeat forecast comes at a time when a worsening economic outlook coupled with high inflation has sparked concerns about consumer demand.

Shares of other airlines including Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL.N) , Southwest Airlines Co (LUV.N) and United Airlines Holdings Inc (UAL.O) were also up between 1% and 3% premarket.

The fourth quarter was difficult for several U.S. carriers as an industry-wide pilot shortage made it tougher for carriers to ramp up capacity and capitalize on a booming travel demand.

During the fourth quarter, American Airlines' capacity was down 6.1% versus the fourth quarter of 2019, and near the mid-point of its prior guidance of a 5% to 7% fall.

American Airlines expects to report fourth-quarter adjusted earnings per diluted share between $1.12 and $1.17, compared with its prior guidance of $0.50 to $0.70. Analysts had expected a profit of 60 cents, according to Refinitiv data.

The company also forecast a rise between 16% and 17% in revenue from the fourth quarter of 2019. It had earlier forecast revenue growth of 11% to 13%.

It expects costs, excluding fuel, to be up for the fourth-quarter about 10% at the higher end of its previous forecast of 8% and 10%.

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