Air France-KLM Third-Quarter 2026 Results and Capacity Forecast, Digi Mart USA News: Air France-KLM adjusted its forecast for 2026 capacity growth on Thursday, emphasizing its priority on profitability as the airline group reported higher third-quarter results amid rising fuel prices and strong activity.
For the July to September period, the company posted revenue of 9.92 billion euros, up 7.6% from the third quarter of 2025. At constant exchange rates, activity grew 12.3%.
During the quarter, Air France-KLM carried 29.7 million passengers, an increase of 1.8% year over year.
On the financial front, the airline reported adjusted operating income of 1.35 billion euros in the third quarter of 2026, 126 million euros more than a year earlier. The company said this indicator “returns to growth,” citing its “strict cost control.” Net income for the quarter was 938 million euros, 170 million euros more than in the third quarter of 2025.
Air France-KLM delivered better-than-expected profitability. According to a consensus compiled by the company, analysts had expected average adjusted operating income of 1.09 billion euros and revenue of 9.94 billion euros.
“Demand in our key strategic markets, combined with strong commercial discipline, led to higher unit revenues, while continued cost control, together with well-managed fuel costs, kept unit costs broadly stable,” said Benjamin Smith, chief executive of Air France-KLM, in a statement.
“This performance reflects the benefits of the strategic choices made in recent years, starting with the premiumization of Air France […] as well as the targeted deployment of Transavia in the group’s key markets and the continued contribution of our cargo business,” the executive added.
For 2026, Air France-KLM now expects capacity growth of 2% compared with 2025, at the low end of its previous range of 2% to 3%. The company said this new forecast reflects “rigorous capacity management and a priority on profitability.”
The airline group also now anticipates a fuel bill of 9.2 billion dollars in 2026, 2.3 billion dollars more than in 2025. Previously, Air France-KLM had expected a fuel bill of 8.9 billion dollars for 2026.
