CHICAGO, May 27 (Reuters) - United Airlines UAL.O 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 more of the hit 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.