Air New Zealand Suspends Earnings Guidance, Raises Fares in Response to Soaring Fuel Prices

The airline said the ‘unprecedented volatility’ in global jet fuel markets meant it could not be certain about future profits.
Air New Zealand Suspends Earnings Guidance, Raises Fares in Response to Soaring Fuel Prices
An Air New Zealand plane is seen taking off at Christchurch airport in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Dec. 15, 2023. Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images
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Air New Zealand has warned shareholders that its earnings guidance, issued when it released its interim results on Feb. 26, can no longer be relied upon amid a period of “unprecedented volatility” in global jet fuel markets following the Iran war.

The airline lost NZ$59 million (US$34.8 million) in the first half of the 2025-26 financial year and had forecast second-half earnings “broadly in line with, or modestly below” that figure. But that was based on the assumption that jet fuel prices would remain at around US$85 a barrel.

Rex Widerstrom
Rex Widerstrom
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Rex Widerstrom is a New Zealand-based reporter with over 40 years of experience in media, including radio and print. He is currently a presenter for Hutt Radio.