Jet2 has cut capacity for winter 2025/26, saying it is operating in a ‘less certain consumer environment’, with ‘limited visibility’ over forward bookings.
The group issued its first update since early July this morning in a statement ahead of its AGM, in which it said bookings are moving ‘closer to departure’.
It is cutting winter capacity by 200,000 seats, to 5.6 million seats. The airline hasn’t said where the 2025/26 capacity cuts have been made.
Since its last statement, in early July, the airline said it has seen a ‘more pronounced’ trend towards booking closer to departure.
“Looking ahead to winter 25/26, we have chosen to exercise capacity discipline in a less certain consumer environment, reducing seats on sale from 5.8m to 5.6m, an increase of 9% on winter 24/25, and we plan to maintain attractive pricing to ensure our customers are able to get away from it all and enjoy a relaxing holiday,” it said.
“With limited visibility given the later booking profile and the remainder of summer and much of winter seat capacity still to sell, we currently expect EBIT (earnings before interest and tax) to be towards the lower end of the consensus range.”
Analysts had expected EBIT to be £449m to £496m. Jet2 said: “It remains premature to provide definitive guidance as to overall Group profitability for the financial year ending 31 March 2026.”
CEO Steve Heapy said: “Although we are currently operating in a difficult market, we have a proven business model, a loyal customer base, a flexible approach to capacity management and of course our multi award-winning customer service.
“We believe that these factors provide the foundation for a solid financial result this year and for further profitable growth in the years to come.”
To the end of August, the number of Jet2 package holiday customers for summer 2025 increased by 2%, while flight-only passengers increased by 17%.
“Average package holiday pricing continues to display a modest increase, whilst net ticket yields for our flight-only product have become increasingly attractive,” Jet2 said.
The next update will be on 19 November, when Jet2 announces its interim results.
Travel Gossip has asked Jet2 for details on the winter capacity cuts.
