Helloworld and Flight Centre report mixed FY26 results amid Middle East disruption

Major travel companies Helloworld Travel Limited and Flight Centre Travel Group reported mixed FY26 financial results, with both firms noting that geopolitical instability in the Middle East disrupted travel demand during the fourth quarter.

Helloworld reported an 8.4 per cent increase in underlying EBITDA to $60.2 million and a total transaction value of $4 billion. However, underlying profit after tax saw a slight decrease of 0.5 per cent to $30.2 million. CEO Andrew Burnes noted that performance would have been stronger without the disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict. The company also highlighted strategic acquisitions, including full ownership of Mobile Travel Agents.

Flight Centre Travel Group saw record total transaction value of $25.7 billion, driven largely by its corporate division and significant growth in the US market. Despite these gains, the company's shares faced downward pressure following the release of results that showed a 4 per cent drop in underlying profit before tax to $278 million. The leisure division was particularly impacted by the Middle East conflict, with an estimated $60 million loss in profit attributed to the disruption.