EVA Air Achieves Best-Ever Q1 with Record Passenger Revenue and AI-Driven Cargo Boost

(CNA, Taipei, May 20) EVA Air has reported its highest-ever net profit for a first quarter, which also marks its second-highest single-quarter profit. The airline stated that in Q1, boosted by the Lunar New Year holiday and the cherry blossom season, passenger revenue hit a record high. The conflict in the Middle East increased demand for European and American routes, leading to a surge in performance in March and driving the Q1 passenger load factor to 84%. Strong global demand for AI equipment has kept air cargo fundamentals stable. At an institutional investors' conference today, EVA Air announced that the consolidated total revenue for EVA Air and its subsidiaries in Q1 2026 was NT$60.516 billion, an annual increase of 10.1%. The consolidated net profit for the period was NT$8.865 billion, with a net profit attributable to the parent company of NT$8.268 billion, and earnings per share (EPS) of NT$1.53. The Q1 net profit is a record high for the same period and the second-highest for any single quarter, while the EPS is a record high for the same period and the third-highest for any single quarter. EVA Air's Q1 passenger revenue was NT$402.98 billion, up 10.7% year-on-year, while cargo revenue was NT$132.44 billion, up 4.1% year-on-year. EVA Air explained that in Q1 2026, thanks to the Lunar New Year holiday and the cherry blossom season, passenger revenue set a historical record. The Middle East conflict boosted demand for routes to Europe and the Americas, with a performance spike in March, resulting in a Q1 passenger load factor of 84%. Long-haul routes saw strong demand due to geopolitical tensions, with passenger revenue growing between 6.3% and 17.3% compared to the same period last year. Travel enthusiasm for Northeast Asia remained high throughout the first quarter, with passenger revenue increasing by 15.7% year-on-year. Regarding cargo, EVA Air stated that the impact of the Middle East conflict pushed up air freight demand in March, with unit revenues gradually climbing. Strong global demand for AI equipment has ensured stable cargo fundamentals, driving revenue growth. EVA Air pointed out that with capacity in the Middle East being constrained, there is an overflow of transit demand. The airline is optimistic about the passenger business benefiting from this spillover effect, with ticket prices continuing to rise, a solid base of high-end customers, and steady business travel demand. (Editor: Huang Kuo-lun) 1150520