EasyJet raises ticket prices to protect itself from rising fuel costs. The British low-cost airline thus enters the most delicate phase of the year, the summer season, squeezed between rising jet fuel prices and less robust bookings compared to the same period last year. The group explained that it has minimum ticket price raised and that it has initiated an "active review of all discretionary costs." This move captures the current situation well, with demand remaining strong but passengers being more cautious about booking, given the uncertainty surrounding the Middle East conflict and tensions over fuel supplies.
At the end of March it was found 58% of scheduled flights sold Between April and September, the number of bookings fell by two percentage points compared to the same period last year. Late bookings are showing some signs of recovery, but the comparison with 2025 remains unfavorable.
EasyJet reports losses for the first half of the year, but revenues are growing.
In the first half-year ended March 31, EasyJet recorded a pre-tax loss of £552 million, in line with the range of 540-560 million indicated by the company in April. The figure worsens compared to the loss of 394 million in the same period of the previous financial year and reflects the combined impact of higher operating costs, fuel costs and higher legal provisions.
The picture, however, is not all negative. The group's revenues rose by 12% to £3,95 billion, while passengers increased by 6% to 42 million. The aircraft load factor improved by two percentage points, reaching 90%.the supply of places has increased of 8%, a sign that the company continues to focus on expansion, albeit in a more unstable context.
EasyJet Holidays It remains one of the group's most dynamic drivers. The segment recorded a pre-tax profit of £61 million, up 39%, with customers growing 22% and the average selling price rising 8% to £623. Operating profit reached £48 million, a 50% increase year-on-year.
Fuel remains the most sensitive itemEasyJet has indicated a new route for the summer negative impact of approximately 200 million pounds tied to the price of jet fuel. The company hedged 72% of its needs for the season at $726 per metric ton, compared to a spot price indicated at around $1.350. Every $100 change in jet fuel prices could impact the group's costs by approximately £35 million.
Jarvis reassures: “We are operating normally”
The CEO Kenton Jarvis ha tried to reassure the market and passengers“EasyJet is not experiencing any disruption to fuel supplies, we are continuing to operate normally and our customers can book with confidence,” the CEO said. Jarvis acknowledged that the the scenario remains complex, but he affirmed the group's solidity. "Although the conflict in the Middle East creates short-term uncertainty, easyJet is well positioned to manage the current environment."
Recalibrated routes and more efficient fleet
To manage the volatility of demand, EasyJet has already recalibrated part of the summer programIn March, the airline revised its schedules, marginally reducing its summer seats by 0,3%, and shifted approximately 400.000 seats from countries near the conflict zone to domestic routes and urban connections within its network. Some fhigh frequency luxuries have been reduced in April and May in response to rising fuel prices, but the goal now is to operate the full planned summer schedule.
The new Italian bases also weighed on the accounts Milan Linate and Rome Fiumicino, which generated a negative impact of 30 million pounds in the first winter season, following the 20 million pounds losses of the inaugural summer season. Management, however, expects a gradual improvement as the routes mature.
Meanwhile, EasyJet is accelerating the renewal of its fleet, aiming to complete the A319 phase-out by FY2029. The transition to A320neo and A321neo Family aircraft is expected to generate approximately £250 million of cumulative cost efficiencies between FY2027 and FY2028.
The bet, now, is all on the summerThird-quarter bookings were 79% sold, still one point below the previous year, while the fourth quarter was 40%, three points lower year-on-year. Jarvis admitted that winter losses remain “above what we expected when we set our medium-term objectives.”
