The estimate is based on projections of a 13-percent full-year decline in passenger demand, mostly in China, the trade body said in a statement.
IATA said its estimate assumed that COVID-19 behaves like a SARS outbreak nearly two decades ago, which was "characterised by a six-month period with a sharp decline followed by an equally quick recovery".
Airlines in China's domestic market alone are estimated to lose around $12.8 billion in revenues.
Carriers outside the Asia-Pacific region are seen suffering $1.5 billion in losses.
This brings worldwide airline revenue lost to the virus to a projected $29.3 billion, IATA said.
If however, the virus spreads more widely to Asia-Pacific markets then impacts on airlines from other regions would be larger, IATA warned.
IATA had previously estimated Asia-Pacific airlines to register growth of 4.8 percent this year, but they are now on course instead for a contraction of 8.2 percent, it said.
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