The operator’s preliminary 1H26 trading results also revealed that TTV decreased by 4% from $752 million to $726 million and while bookings slid 8% from 784,000 to 724,000.
This was due to challenging macro conditions, the company said, from the heightened tension in the Middle East and tariff-related trade disruptions in Apr to cost-of-living pressures and elevated domestic airfares “following the reduction in competition on major city’s routes with Rex’s exit”.
Webjet’s core flights product was also impacted due to the ACCC infringement notices it received related to an investigation that began in 2023.
Due to a combination of factors, including a “soft macro environment”, it is now expected that the group’s underlying EBITDA for FY26 will be in the range of $30 million-$32 million, 9%-14% down on the prior comparable period.
However, Webjet CEO and Managing Director Katrina Barry remains optimistic about the future of the business, reassuring shareholders that “our strategy and long-term growth trajectory remain unchanged”.
“Near-term market conditions impact timing, but not the underlying strength of our business or the value creation opportunity ahead,” she said
