SYDNEY--Virgin Australia, the country's number two airline, forecast flat underlying earnings in the six months through June as it balances strong demand for travel with a 3% cut to domestic capacity.
Virgin Australia said forward booking remain strong as consumers continue to prioritize travel, easing concerns about how intensifying cost-of-living pressures and rising interest rates in Australia might affect the ability of households to afford air tickets.
Airlines have faced rising fuel costs as the impact of the Middle East conflict and reductions in global refining capacity feeds into higher refining margins. Virgin Australia has countered this headwind by introducing more fuel-efficient aircraft and doubling down on its fuel-hedging strategy.
On Friday, Virgin Australia said it expects revenue per average seat kilometer to rise by 6-8% in the six months through June. This reflects strong demand, benefits of its transformation program and disciplined capacity management, the company said.
It forecast fuel costs of 700 million Australian dollars, equivalent to $503.4 million, in the first half of the 2027 fiscal year. Management also projected capital expenditure of between A$900 million and A$1.0 billion across the year as a whole, including the purchase of five Boeing 737-8 Max aircraft and two Embraer E190-E2 aircraft.
The outlook was provided by Virgin Australia alongside a net profit of A$501.2 million for the 12 months through June, 2026. That was up from A$478.5 million in the prior year, and reflects growth in underlying earnings following a strong operating performance and fewer significant items.
Virgin Australia said underlying earnings before interest and tax were A$753.2 million, up 13% on year, while annual revenue rose by 9.3% to A$6.35 billion.
Directors of the company declared a final dividend of 7.60 Australian cents per share.
"We delivered strong earnings growth and further margin expansion despite significant inflationary pressure across the aviation supply chain and a more challenging operating environment, while continuing to invest in the long-term competitiveness of the business," said Dave Emerson, Virgin Australia's chief executive and managing director.