Wizz Air's half-year net profit fell by two-thirds as surging fuel costs outweighed strong passenger growth, the budget airline reported on Thursday 12 November 2026.

Profit falls despite higher revenue

Net profit for the six months to 30 September 2026 dropped 66.6% to €108.1 million, from €323.5 million a year earlier, while total revenue rose 13.8% to €3.80 billion. Fuel costs jumped 33.7% to €1.24 billion, reflecting the elevated jet fuel prices seen since the Iran conflict disrupted flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

Underlying earnings also weakened. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) fell 6.0% to €922.4 million, and operating profit dropped 39.8% to €264.5 million. Revenue per available seat kilometre, a key measure of pricing power, fell 2.9% to 4.84 euro cents across the half year.

Second quarter recovers

The second quarter told a stronger story. Net profit rose 7.4% to €306.3 million, EBITDA increased 13.8% to €775.0 million and operating profit grew 8.8% to €447.8 million, despite fuel costs running 28.7% higher than a year earlier. The first-half result was held back by disruption in the Middle East at the start of the first quarter and by fleet availability constraints.

Higher costs ahead

Wizz Air warned that full-year ex-fuel unit costs are expected to rise by a mid-single-digit percentage year on year. For the third quarter, it expects revenue per available seat kilometre to rise by a low-single-digit percentage, with seats up by around 19% as it heads into the winter season, and fares are expected to edge higher. Shares in Wizz Air were around 1% lower in morning trading in London on Thursday, at 1,134p against a previous close of 1,147p.