24th Jul 2025 11:49
(Alliance News) - Wizz Air Holdings PLC on Thursday upgraded its load factor expectations, saying it is "excited" about its long-term prospects despite facing "severe challenges".
The Budapest-based low-cost airline said total revenue rose 13% to EUR1.43 billion in its first financial quarter to June 30 from EUR1.26 billion a year before.
Wizz Air carried 17.0 million passengers in the first quarter of financial year 2026, up 11% from 15.3 million in the first quarter of financial 2025. Load factor was steady at 91.1%, compared to 91.0%.
Net profit for the three-month period multiplied to EUR38.4 million from EUR1.2 million, helped by unrealised foreign exchange tailwinds.
Operating profit however fell 38% to EUR27.5 million from EUR44.6 million.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation rose 9.3% to EUR300.2 million from EUR274.6 million.
The Ebitda margin was down to 21.0% from 21.8%.
Looking ahead, the budget carrier upgraded its load factor expectations for the second quarter, now anticipating it to be flat year-on-year, compared to its prior guidance for a 2 point decline.
Chief Executive Officer Jozsef Varadi said: "We approach financial 2026 with a clear vision of our strategy to focus our business on markets that satisfy two important criteria. Firstly, to ensure we are operating in so called environmentally benign operating environments and secondly, in markets where we already have or will have market share. We believe our core Central & Eastern European markets satisfy both these criteria. As such, we have developed initiatives that steer network design to focus on these markets."
Last week, Wizz said it is ending fight operations in Abu Dhabi as part of a "strategic realignment" prioritising European business.
Wizz cited "market dynamics, operational challenges, and geopolitical developments in the Middle East" for the decision. Wizz Air said it will "redeploy resources to regions with greater long-term potential". These include its core central and eastern European markets, plus western European destinations such as Austria, Italy and the UK.
Varadi added on Thursday: "Our management team has demonstrated a high degree of adaptability in recent years when faced by severe challenges, and this year will likely continue to call on that strength as we refocus our business. We see this encompassing some significant changes to our operations but with active execution and a strong balance sheet to support this, I am excited by the long-term prospects for the company."
Wizz Air shares were up 0.2% at 1,085.00 pence each on Thursday morning in London.
By Tom Budszus, Alliance News slot editor
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