Air New Zealand suspends FY2026 guidance
Stock exchange listings: New Zealand (NZX: AIR) / Australia (ASX: AIZ) / ADR (OTC : ANZLY)
MARKET ANNOUNCEMENT
Air New Zealand postal address: Private Bag 92007, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
Investor Relations email: investor@airnz.co.nz
Investor website: www.airnewzealand.co.nz/investor
10 March 2026
Air New Zealand suspends FY2026 guidance due to jet fuel market volatility
Due to unprecedented volatility in global jet fuel markets following the recent escalation of conflict
in the Middle East, Air New Zealand is suspending its earnings guidance.
At its interim results on 26 February 2026, Air New Zealand provided qualitative guidance that
based on current trading conditions and assuming an average jet fuel price of US$85 per barrel for
the second half, the airline expected second-half earnings to be broadly in line with, or modestly
below the first half, which was a loss of $59 million. The airline noted the outlook remained subject
to material uncertainty including engine return schedules, the timing and quantum of
compensation, and volatility across key input costs and demand conditions.
Since that time, conflict in the Middle East has led to extreme volatility in jet fuel markets. Jet fuel
prices, which were around US$85 to $90 per barrel prior to the conflict, have increased sharply to
between US$150 to US$200 per barrel in recent days.
Jet fuel pricing is made up of two elements, Brent Crude (the underlying crude oil price) and the
crack spread, which is the refinery margin (the difference between crude oil and the price of refined
jet fuel). Since the conflict began, the crack spread has also been particularly volatile, widening
from approximately US$22 per barrel before the conflict to as high as US$115 per barrel.
Air New Zealand is 83% hedged against Brent crude for the second half of the 2026 financial year.
However, like most global airline peers, it remains exposed to movements in the crack spread. For
context, the airline’s estimated fuel consumption for the remainder of the financial year (from
March to June) is approximately 2.9 million barrels.
Due to this unprecedented volatility, the jet fuel price assumption underlying Air New Zealand’s 26
February 2026 guidance is no longer appropriate. The crisis is expected to meaningfully affect
second-half earnings and accordingly, the airline has suspended FY2026 guidance until fuel
markets and operating conditions stabilise.
In response, the airline has implemented initial fare adjustments. If the conflict leads to continued
elevated jet fuel costs, the airline may need to take further pricing action and adjust its network and
schedule as required. In parallel, the airline is progressing ongoing cost reduction initiatives which
are expected to partially offset these pressures.
Ends.
Stock exchange listings: New Zealand (NZX: AIR) / Australia (ASX: AIZ) / ADR (OTC : ANZLY)
MARKET ANNOUNCEMENT
Air New Zealand postal address: Private Bag 92007, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
Investor Relations email: investor@airnz.co.nz
Investor website: www.airnewzealand.co.nz/investor
This announcement is authorised for release on the NZX and ASX by Jennifer Page, General
Counsel & Company Secretary, jennifer.page@airnz.co.nz
For investor relations queries, contact: For media enquiries, contact:
Kim Cootes, Head of Investor Relations Air New Zealand Communications
kim.cootes@airnz.co.nz media@airnz.co.nz
+64 27 297 0244 +64 21 747 320
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