Sydney: Australia’s leading airline Qantas Group reported a significant profit increase, with an 11 percent rise to 874 million U.S. dollars for the July-December period in 2024, driven by a surge in customer numbers.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the Qantas Group, which includes both Qantas and its budget carrier Jetstar, announced a pre-tax underlying profit of 1.39 billion Australian dollars (874.2 million U.S. dollars) for the six-month period. This performance marks an 11-percent increase from the same timeframe in 2023.
The group attributed its success to carrying nearly 10 percent more customers, with Jetstar achieving a record number of passengers despite a challenging high cost-of-living environment. Jetstar delivered a 54-percent increase in domestic earnings compared to the previous year, demonstrating its robust market presence.
Chief Executive Vanessa Hudson highlighted the strategic advantage of having both premium and budget airline options, alongside a strong loyalty program. “The Group’s performance highlights the benefits of having both a premium and a low fares airline and a strong loyalty program,” Hudson stated. She also emphasized Jetstar’s role in making holidays more affordable for Australians.
Hudson further announced that due to the strong financial performance, Qantas is now positioned to pay dividends for the first time since 2019.