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Air New Zealand reported (28-Aug-2026) a loss before taxation of NZD336 million (USD200.1 million) for the 12 months ended 30-Jun-2026, compared with earnings before taxation of NZD164 million (USD97.7 million) in the prior year. The carrier reported a net loss after taxation of NZD242 million (USD144.1 million) for FY2026. Air New Zealand reported the result is "slightly better than the guidance range" provided to market in May-2026, attributing the performance to the following primary factors:

• Jet fuel prices: The Middle East conflict increased fuel cost by an estimated NZD328 million (USD195.3 million) compared to the carrier's expectations prior to H2FY2026 - as well as by NZD205 million (USD122.1 million) after hedging - with an estimated NZD135 million (USD80.4 million) impact on the pre-tax result after fare adjustments and capacity reductions;
• Engine availability: Ongoing Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 and Pratt & Whitney PW1100 engine issues impacted the result by an estimated NZD190 million (USD113.1 million) through lost capacity, additional lease and engine costs, lower fleet utilisation and operating inefficiencies;
• Aviation system costs: New Zealand aviation costs have risen at more than twice the rate of inflation since 2019. Air New Zealand stated its share of these costs alongside its passengers and airports was NZD1.2 billion (USD714.5 million) in 2026, an increase of NZD142 million (USD84.6 million) compared to 2025. The carrier stated that of this, approximately NZD720 million (USD428.7 million) was recognised as a cost in its financial statements in 2026 - a price increase of approximately NZD83 million (USD49.4 million) compared to 2025;
• Maintenance: 2026 was a peak aircraft maintenance year, with an increase of NZD139 million (USD82.8 million), excluding foreign exchange, compared to 2025 - driven by lifecycle maintenance costs and additional maintenance costs on leased engines.

Air New Zealand CEO Nikhil Ravishankar stated: "It's been a very challenging year for aviation, and our financial result reflects these challenges. Given the price sensitivity of air travel, airlines globally have not been able to recover the full increase in fuel costs". Mr Ravishankar added: "We have also taken decisive action to simplify parts of the organisation and evolve our operating model, including restructuring across a number of areas to reduce duplication, sharpen accountability and improve productivity. We have retrofitted nine out of 14 of our Boeing 787 fleet - and the new interior product is resonating very well with customers. The remaining 787 fleet fit-out will be completed by November this year, slightly ahead of schedule". He continued: "After several years of disruption, the engine challenges that have constrained our network are now substantially behind us... There are still residual risks and costs to work through, but we enter 2027 in a considerably more reliable fleet position". [more - original PR]

Air New Zealand reported (28-Aug-2026) it would have expected to return to profitability in FY2027 prior to the conflict in the Middle East, reflecting "improvements in the business". The carrier stated it is not in a position to provide earnings guidance for FY2027 owing to "continued uncertainty surrounding the conflict, the volatility of jet fuel prices and with jet fuel currently around USD150 per barrel". The carrier reported that excluding fuel, the major factors impacting its FY2026 result are "expected to continue to have some impact in FY2027", including an estimated financial impact of between NZD70 million (USD41.7 million) to NZD90 million (USD53.6 million) from a combination of continuing lease commitments related to engine issues and available aircraft not able to be fully utilised due to the fuel crisis. Air New Zealand also projected aircraft maintenance costs to be NZD50 million (USD29.8 million) to NZD100 million (USD59.6 million) lower than in 2026, with aviation system costs continuing to "rise well above inflation", with airport charges expected to increase by upwards of 10% at some ports during FY2027. The carrier stated it expects FY2027 to be "both a transition and recovery year", with operational performance continuing to improve "even as elevated fuel prices weigh on profitability". Air New Zealand CEO Nikhil Ravishankar stated: "We are seeing encouraging inbound demand, with strong forward bookings into New Zealand. This is a positive signal for tourism and for the country more broadly... We remain focused on executing our strategic priorities, improving financial performance and positioning the airline for long-term sustainable returns". [more - original PR]

American Airlines announced (27-Aug-2026) the following network expansion:

• Charlotte-Paris CDG: Resume from 04-Mar-2027;
• Miami-Milan Malpensa: Resume from 04-Mar-2027;
• Chicago O'Hare-Tokyo Narita: Commence daily on 19-Mar-2027 with Boeing 787-9;
• New York JFK-Amsterdam: Commence daily on 28-Mar-2027 with A321XLR. The service will operate year round;
• Philadelphia-Porto: Commence daily on 28-Mar-2027 with A321XLR;
• New York JFK-London Heathrow: Frequency increase to four times daily from 28-Mar-2027 with 787-9;
• New York JFK-Nice: Commence seasonal daily on 06-May-2027 with A321XLR;
• Philadelphia-Vienna: Commence seasonal daily on 06-May-2027 with A321XLR;
• Charlotte-Barcelona: Commence seasonal daily on 27-May-2027 with 777-200ER;
• Philadelphia-Reykjavik: Commence daily on 27-May-2027 with A321neo. [more - original PR - American Airlines] [more - original PR - Vienna International Airport] [more - Aviation Week]

Virgin Australia reported (28-Aug-2026) underlying EBIT for H1FY2027 is expected to be "broadly in line with H1FY2026" based on "the forward fuel curve" and "demand and forward bookings" remaining strong as consumers continued to prioritise travel. The carrier reported an underlying EBIT of AUD490 million (USD352.6 million) in H1FY2026. Key assumptions for H1FY2027 include:

• Capacity will continue to be managed "with discipline", with domestic capacity to decline by 3%;
• RASK is expected to grow between 6% and 8% reflecting "strong demand, transformation and disciplined capacity management";
• Benefits from the carrier's Transformation Programme and lower maintenance costs are expected to partly offset headwinds in airports and labour costs, resulting in CASK (excluding fuel) growth being less than RASK growth;
• Fuel is expected cost of approximately AUD700 million (USD503.7 million) based on the forward curve and 3.2 million barrels of oil consumed with hedging for the remainder of the period of 96% (brent) and 20% (refining margins);
• Velocity is expected to achieve continued strong underlying momentum in active member growth and external billings, offset by one-off impact of Reserve Bank of Australia interchange fees and ramp up of investment in three year Velocity transformation programme, resulting in FY2027 underlying EBIT being "broadly in line" with FY2026. This investment is targeted to deliver low double digit underlying EBIT growth for FY2028 and FY2029;
• Capex is expected to be approximately AUD900 million (USD647.6 million) to AUD1 billion (USD719.6 million) FY2027, including the purchase of five Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft and two Embraer E190-E2 aircraft;
• Leverage expected to be towards the low end of the target range of one to two times net debt/underlying EBITDA;
• Significant Items excluded from FY2027 underlying results are expected to be approximately AUD40 million (USD28.8 million), which includes transformation-related restructuring and IT costs of approximately AUD20 million (USD14.4 million), IPO-related share-based payments of approximately AUD20 million and any foreign exchange movements in aircraft lease liabilities.

Virgin CEO and MD Dave Emerson stated: "Looking ahead, we remain focused on providing value and choice to Australians to meet their travel needs. As an industry, we all have a role to play in managing costs so aviation doesn't become unaffordable for Australians". He continued: "The cumulative impact of rising costs across many parts of the aviation supply chain, particularly airport charges, remains a concern and reinforces the importance of continued financial discipline and transformation". [more - original PR]

Virgin Australia reported (28-Aug-2026) an underlying EBIT of AUD753 million (USD541.8 million) for the 12 months ended 30-Jun-2026, an increase of 13.4% year-on-year and a result supported by "strong demand, benefits from the Transformation Programme and disciplined capacity management". Underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) increased 21.9% to AUD404 million (USD290.7 million), reflecting "EBIT growth, a moderate increase in net finance costs and a 30% effective tax rate". Virgin stated its performance was underpinned by more than AUD450 million (USD323.8 million) in gross benefits from its Transformation Programme during FY2026 which, when combined with effective fuel hedging and benefits from its newer fuel-efficient aircraft, partly offset above-inflation cost increases, particularly in airport charges and labour. Virgin CEO and MD Dave Emerson stated: "Our FY2026 results demonstrate that Virgin Australia has become a stronger and more resilient airline," adding: "Our strategy is working. We have built a simpler, more focused business with a primarily domestic network, targeted short-haul international services and global connectivity through our airline partners". Mr Emerson continued: "We delivered strong earnings growth and further margin expansion despite significant inflationary pressure across the aviation supply chain and a more challenging operating environment, while continuing to invest in the long-term competitiveness of the business". [more - original PR]

Aerolineas Argentinas announced (26-Aug-2026) the following services for the 2027 summer season:

• Commence four times weekly service to Curacao on 02-Jan-2027, with two direct frequencies and two frequencies via Aruba;
• Commence five times weekly service to Cartagena on 01-Jan-2027;
• Cordoba-Cabo Frio: Commence twice weekly service on 26-Dec-2026;
• Cordoba-Florianopolis: Seven times weekly;
• Buenos Aires-Florianopolis: 36 times weekly;
• Rosario-Florianopolis: Seven times weekly;
• Tucuman-Florianopolis: Four times weekly;
• Salta-Florianopolis: Four times weekly;
• Buenos Aires-Punta del Este: 28 times weekly;
• Buenos Aires-Montevideo: 14 times weekly;
• Daily service to Aruba and up to seven times weekly services to Punta Cana and Cancun;
• Domestic services from Buenos Aires:
  • Bariloche and Cordoba: 70 times weekly;
  • Mendoza and Iguazu: 56 times weekly;
  • Ushuaia: 55 times weekly;
  • Salta: 45 times weekly;
  • El Calafate and Neuquén: 42 times weekly;
  • Tucuman: 40 times weekly;
  • Mar del Plata: 31 times weekly;
  • Jujuy: 26 times weekly;
• The carrier will also maintain 10 times weekly service Buenos Aires Ezeiza-Madrid Barajas service and four times weekly Buenos Aires Ezeiza-Rome Fiumicino service, as well as 16 times weekly Buenos Aires Ezeiza-Miami service during the season.

The carrier will reach a total offering of 1.5 million seats during Jan-2027, a 13% year-on-year increase driven mainly by the domestic network, which will see a 13% increase, and by the regional operation, which will grow by 16%. [more - original PR]