EasyJet sees first-half loss widening to £560 million on fuel costs

EasyJet PLC (LSE:EZJ) expects its first-half pre-tax loss to widen to as much as £560 million, as higher fuel costs offset strong travel demand.

The budget airline announced on April 16, 2026, that it anticipates a headline pre-tax loss of £540 million to £560 million for the six months ending in March.

The projected loss is significantly wider than the £394 million loss recorded in the same period a year earlier. The company attributed the increase primarily to a spike in jet fuel prices resulting from the war in the Middle East.

Metric	Actual	Consensus	Prior Year
Pre-Tax Loss	£540M-£560M	Not Disclosed	£394M

The profit warning highlights a major headwind for the airline industry, where fuel is a primary operating expense. The sharp rise in costs could pressure margins across the sector, even as carriers report robust passenger numbers.

Despite the earnings pressure, EasyJet noted that demand for flights and holidays remains strong, providing a partial buffer against the increased fuel expenditure. The airline's performance signals a challenging environment for European carriers, forcing investors to weigh strong top-line demand against deteriorating cost fundamentals.

This guidance suggests that elevated geopolitical tensions are directly impacting corporate earnings in the travel sector. Investors will be closely watching the company's full first-half results in May for details on cost-saving measures and summer booking trends.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.