Qantas CEO Says New Global Fleet to Revive Profit as Shares Drop

Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson speaks with Bloomberg’s Haslinda Amin, saying she’s “proud” of her company’s performance as shares slide despite record earnings.Source: Bloomberg

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By Angus Whitley and Haslinda Amin

February 26, 2026 at 5:48 AM UTC

Qantas Airways Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Hudson played down concerns about diminishing profits from international routes, saying the arrival of new aircraft on order will transform returns on the airline’s global network.

Qantas shares slumped 9.2% on Thursday after earnings at its international unit unexpectedly fell, and the company flagged rising costs from wages and aircraft maintenance. The offshore headwinds overshadowed the carrier’s record first-half profit, and Hudson sought to assuage investor concerns by highlighting an expansive fleet revamp that the airline says will underpin future profitability.