(Reuters) -Air New Zealand on Wednesday forecast a loss before tax for the first half of fiscal 2026, as absence of an expected pickup in revenue from domestic and U.S.-bound bookings added to woes around higher engine lease costs.
The flag carrier is anticipating to report a loss before taxation for the six months in the range of NZ$30 million ($17.20 million) to NZ$55 million.
The company had earlier said earnings during the half would be similar or less than the NZ$34 million reported in the last six months of fiscal 2025.
The airline said engine lease costs will be about NZ$20 million higher in the first half, reflecting end-of-lease expenses on two short-term aircraft.
Air New Zealand said it no longer expects the 2%–3% revenue lift it had anticipated from domestic and U.S.-bound bookings, with current forward sales showing no such momentum.
The shortfall is expected to weigh on first-half fiscal 2026 earnings by about NZ$50 million.
Additionally, the airline flagged increased fuel cost, citing higher payments required under the International Carbon Offsetting Scheme For Aviation (CORSIA) of NZ$10 million.
($1 = 1.7443 New Zealand dollars)
(Reporting by Jasmeen Ara Shaikh in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)
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