Wizz Air posts €198 million loss as fuel costs surge

Wizz Air loss fuel price surge quarterly earnings European budget airlines József Váradi

Wizz Air Holdings reported a net loss of about €198 million for the quarter ended 30 June 2026, a sharp reversal from the €38 million profit recorded a year earlier. Revenue rose 5.5% to €1.51 billion and passenger numbers increased 25% to 21.2 million, but revenue per available seat kilometre fell 8.1% as higher fuel costs squeezed margins.

Fuel expenses jumped roughly 21% year‑on‑year after the war in Iran drove kerosene prices higher. The airline’s shares slipped around 5% in early trading following the results. Wizz Air warned that the second‑quarter revenue per seat kilometre is expected to decline by a low single‑digit percentage and that the remainder of the year will bring “significant challenges” and “strategic opportunities”, according to CEO József Váradi.

Analysts noted that full‑service carriers such as Air France‑KLM, Lufthansa and IAG are faring better, while other low‑cost rivals Ryanair and easyJet also reported reduced earnings due to the same fuel‑price shock.

Entities

European budget airlines · Iran · József Váradi · Kerosene market · Wizz Air · Wizz Air Holdings

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Revenue increased 5.5% year‑on‑year to €1.51 billion in the quarter. www.business-live.co.uk · www.economx.hu · www.powergame.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] Passenger numbers rose 25% to 21.2 million. www.business-live.co.uk · www.economx.hu · www.powergame.gr
[● 2 SOURCES] Wizz Air shares dropped roughly 5% in early trade after the results were released. www.business-live.co.uk · www.emirates247.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The airline expects second‑quarter revenue per seat kilometre to fall by a low single‑digit percentage year‑on‑year. www.emirates247.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Wizz Air posted a net loss of €198 million for the quarter ended 30 June 2026. www.business-live.co.uk · www.economx.hu · www.powergame.gr
[● 2 SOURCES] Fuel costs rose about 21% year‑on‑year due to higher kerosene prices linked to the Iran war. www.economx.hu · www.powergame.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] CEO József Váradi said the rest of the year will present significant challenges and strategic opportunities. www.business-live.co.uk · www.emirates247.com · www.powergame.gr
[○ 1 SOURCE] Revenue per available seat kilometre fell 8.1% in the quarter. www.business-live.co.uk