8 hours ago

Wizz Air’s net profit plunged by nearly 67%, although the company carried more than 46 million passengers

Cristina Petrache

13 November 2026, 11:06

Economy

Foto Real_life_photo / Shutterstock.com

Always see our news on Google

Wizz Air carried more than 46 million passengers in the six months ended September 30, 2026, 26% more than in the same period last year. Despite the increase in traffic, the airline reported a sharp decline in net profit, amid rising costs and lower average revenue generated by each traveler.

Net profit fell by 66.6%, from €323.5 million to €108.1 million. Total revenue increased by 13.8% to €3.8 billion, but operating expenses rose by nearly 22%, reaching €3.54 billion.

Fuel costs increased by nearly 34%, exceeding €1.24 billion. The company was also affected by disruptions caused by the conflict in the Middle East, particularly in the first quarter of the period under review.

Average ticket revenue fell by 10.5% to €47.2 per passenger, while revenue from ancillary services declined by 9% to €35.3. Romania remained one of the main markets, with revenue of €397.2 million, after Italy.

At the end of September, Wizz Air had 276 aircraft, with an average load factor of 92.5%. Of these, 22 were grounded for GTF engine inspections, compared with 35 the previous year.

ა,

Context: pressures on the European airline industry due to fuel costs and changes in demand

Before Wizz Air's report, the European airline industry was already facing tensions caused by rising fuel prices: Ryanair warned that tickets could become 10%-20% more expensive next summer, and in a scenario where high oil prices persist, some competitors could have difficulty maintaining operating capacity. The company also began schedule adjustments, including cutting thousands of flights for the winter season, precisely to limit losses.

At the same time, previously published data showed that commercial air traffic in the EU had returned close to 2019 levels, with 6.9 million flights in 2025, meaning a more active market, but also greater pressure on airports and infrastructure. However, the recovery was measured by the number of flights, not necessarily by companies' profitability or all operational indicators.