13th Nov 2025 10:59
(Alliance News) - Wizz Air Holdings PLC shares surged on Thursday as it reported a rise in half-year profit, but the budget carrier cut its capacity forecast.
Wizz Air shares jumped 12% to 1,136.00 pence each in London on Thursday morning, the best FTSE 250 performer.
In the six months to September 30, pretax profit shot up 24% on-year to EUR450.6 million from EUR363.0 million. Revenue climbed 9.0% to EUR3.34 billion from EUR3.07 billion.
"Our first half financial results reflect the increased capacity year-on-year deployed over the summer season. During the period both operational and commercial improvements were made, with further actions planned in the months ahead," Chief Executive Jozsef Varadi said.
Wizz said winter capacity represents a "short-term challenge", however. It now expects capacity growth, measured in available seat kilometres, of 10% for the full-year, its outlook trimmed from a low teens rise.
ASK capacity was 8.9% higher than a year prior during the first half. Wizz Air's load factor in the first half was largely unmoved on-year at 92.4%.
It expects revenue per available seat kilometre to fall by low single digits for the whole year. It edged up 0.1% to EUR4.98 in the first half.
Varadi added: "In terms of pricing, looking at the current ninety-day booking curve, we are seeing unit revenue approximately down low single digits percentage-wise year on year while the load factor, conversely, is up by a similar level in terms of a percentage points gain."
The company expects full year costs per available seat kilometre to be broadly flat on-year. Fuel costs per available seat kilometre are expected to be down by high single digits.
Varadi added: "Since the period closed, we have completed our objective of optimising our aircraft delivery stream in order to target medium-term capacity growth at a more sustainable 10-12% per annum. This encompasses the deferment of 88 Airbus deliveries from this decade to the next, while we have also sold 3 A321neos this year. Our order book, which now extends to 2033, remains a strategic asset, differentiating Wizz Air by securing stable and competitively-priced capacity growth for years to come."
Wizz Air on Friday said it amended a delivery agreement with Airbus SE, taking fewer of the longer-haul A321XLRs jets from the aircraft maker.
Wizz said the new schedule sees 88 deliveries originally planned to arrive by the end of its financial year to March 2030, deferred to be delivered by the year ending in 2033. In addition, Budapest-based Wizz said it altered the "fleet mix".
It has trimmed its commitment for A321XLRs to 11 from 47. The 11 includes five units already delivered by Airbus. The remaining 36 A321XLRs have been converted to a commitment for 36 A321neos. The A321XLRs have a longer range than the A321neos, so are they used for longer-haul travel.
By Eric Cunha, Alliance News news editor
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