Wizz Air profit falls 67% on fuel costs: will ticket prices rise?

Wizz Air's net profit for the first half of its financial year fell by 67% to €108.1 million as jet fuel prices climbed, and the airline is cutting its winter capacity. Learn more about the figures, the fuel hedging and what the CEO expects for ticket prices

Wizz Air, the budget airline from Hungary, reported a sharp drop in earnings for the first half of its 2026 financial year. According to Bloomberg, which cites the airline's financial statements, net profit fell by 67% as jet fuel prices rose quickly.

The news matters to anyone planning winter or summer flights in Europe: the airline is reducing its winter capacity, and its chief executive says that higher fares cannot be avoided.

Planning a flight this winter while airlines cut routes and capacity?

When carriers trim their schedules, delays and changes become more likely. Travel insurance from Visit World covers medical expenses, flight delays and lost luggage abroad. Get your policy online before you fly.

How much did Wizz Air's profit fall?

Wizz Air's net profit for the first half of the financial year came to €108.1 million, compared with €323.5 million a year earlier. Fuel costs rose by 15% compared with 2025.

Investors reacted quickly. At the start of trading in London, the airline's shares fell by 4.4%, bringing their decline since the beginning of the year to 11%.

About fuel prices in the EU and the ECB forecast — read more at the link.

Why is Wizz Air cutting winter capacity?

Chief executive József Váradi said the airline has reduced its capacity by about 6% compared with what it had planned for the winter. In his words, the step reflects the situation with high fuel prices and is meant to protect the company's financial results.

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Will Wizz Air ticket prices rise?

According to József Váradi, fuel prices will decide how much fares go up, but an increase cannot be avoided. The airline has hedged part of its fuel needs in advance:

• 82% of fuel needs are hedged until the end of March;
• 51% are hedged for the summer period.

Adam Vettese, a market analyst at eToro, told Bloomberg that until fuel prices fall or unit costs stabilise, the shares are likely to stay volatile rather than show any significant recovery.

Are other European airlines affected?

Higher jet fuel costs are hitting other carriers as well. Ryanair Holdings, the largest low-cost airline in Europe, announced efficiency measures last week. They are intended to offset a €2 billion increase in fuel costs expected next year.

Earlier in the year, we reported on how European airlines cut ticket prices as travellers feared a new fuel crisis.

What this means for travellers

• Expect fewer flights on some Wizz Air routes this winter, as capacity is about 6% below the original plan.
• Book early: the airline's CEO expects fares to rise, with the size of the increase depending on fuel prices.
• For summer trips, keep in mind that only about half of Wizz Air's fuel needs are hedged, so prices may be more sensitive to the fuel market.
• Check your booking regularly for schedule changes.

Fewer flights and higher fares make every trip worth protecting. Buy Travel insurance from Visit World online and travel with cover for medical costs, delays and luggage.

We remind you! In our previous article, we wrote that airfares in Europe could rise significantly in 2027.

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