The Qantas Group has announced strong first half financial results for 2025, with underlying profit up 11% to $1.39 billion. Despite a $65 million increase in legal provisions due to a Federal Court case in October 2024 over the layoffs of 1,700 ground staff, the airline still achieved a net profit after tax of $923 million.
CEO highlights key strengths
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson attributed the strong performance to the company’s dual-brand strategy, combining premium and low-cost airlines, and its thriving loyalty program. “Our financial strength enables us to pay a dividend to shareholders for the first time in almost six years,” Hudson said. She also thanked employees and customers for their dedication and loyalty, which she said was key to the group’s success.
Market performance and growth
Profitability was driven by a 10% increase in passenger numbers for Qantas and Jetstar. Jetstar in particular saw record passenger numbers, with one in three passengers flying for less than $100, despite ongoing cost of living pressures.
Fleet renewal remains a priority for the group. Qantas has inducted five new A220 aircraft, while Jetstar is expanding its fleet of A321LR and A320neo aircraft to 21. In addition, Qantas is upgrading the cabins of 42 Boeing 737 aircraft, installing next-generation seats and larger overhead bins to improve passenger comfort.
Loyalty Program Expansion
The Qantas loyalty program continues to perform strongly, with membership reaching 17 million. Partner revenue increased by 11%, and the launch of the Classic Plus rewards program added 20 million new seats, further boosting member engagement.
Domestic and International Performance
The domestic business achieved $916 million in EBIT, driven by strong demand from corporate and leisure travelers. Qantas’ domestic unit revenue increased by 5%, while Jetstar’s domestic revenue increased by 54%.
Internationally, Qantas’ long-haul routes performed well, with more A380s returning to service in 2025. The group’s Sunrise A350-1000ULR aircraft program is also progressing, with final assembly expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Jetstar’s international business expanded significantly, with a 26% increase in capacity, the launch of six new routes, and the strategic redeployment of Boeing 787s to long-haul destinations.
Future Outlook
Qantas plans to continue investing in fleet renewal and customer experience. This includes the introduction of the A321XLR and further cabin upgrades. Despite challenges such as rising operating costs, airport charges and supply chain constraints, the group maintains strong liquidity with $11.5 billion in cash and assets.
Qantas paid its first fully franked dividend since the 2019 financial year, including a $250 million base dividend and a $150 million special dividend.
CEO Vanessa Hudson reaffirms Group’s commitment to improving customer experience, increasing operational efficiency and modernizing fleet to maintain competitive advantage in global aviation market.
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