CHICAGO, May 27 (Reuters) - United Airlines Chief Executive Scott Kirby said on Wednesday he was overconfident the company could achieve earnings above 10 percent before taxes next year, as lower oil prices and robust demand helped offset more of the negative impact of higher fuel costs.

In a speech during the Bernstein Investors Conference, Kirby said that United was on track to achieve profit margins above 10 percent this year before the war with Iran led to higher fuel prices.

He added that lower oil prices have eased the obstacles facing the company in fully offsetting the negative impact of fuel costs through revenues, noting that a path to a 100 percent recovery may be achieved.