Jet2 trims winter 2025-26 capacity in ‘difficult market’

Jet2 has trimmed the number of seats for this coming winter season amid a “difficult market”.

 

The airline and tour operating group said in a statement: “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.”

The statement noted that summer 2025 seat capacity is 18.5 million seats – 8% higher than summer 2024 and consistent with Jet2’s last update on July 9.

 

“However, since then the closer to departure booking trend has become more pronounced,” it said.

 

“To the end of August flown package holiday customers grew by 2%, with flight-only passengers rising by 17%, demonstrating the flexibility of our operating model and supporting our growth and market expansion.

 

“Average package holiday pricing continues to display a modest increase, whilst net ticket yields for our flight-only product have become increasingly attractive, in part supported by the reallocation of marketing monies into price to improve conversion, alongside balanced cost control.”

 

After noting the winter capacity cut, the statement continued: “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 taxes]  to be towards the lower end of the consensus range, although it remains premature to provide definitive guidance as to overall group profitability for the financial year ending 31 March 2026.”

 

The consensus range for year ending March 31, 2026, is £449 million-£496 million (2025 actual: £446.5m).

 

Steve Heapy, Jet2 chief executive commented: “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.”

 

Jet2 has appointed Rachel Kentleton as senior independent non-executive director with effect from today (September 4).

 

She was appointed as an independent non-executive director in March 2024 and has been the chair of the audit and risk committee since July 2024.