Tigerair Taiwan Chairwoman: Every Flight is Profitable; Aiming for Record Revenue This Year, Profit No Less Than Last Year

(CNA, Taipei, May 20) Tigerair Taiwan Chairwoman Huang Shi-hwei stated that by adjusting unprofitable routes in the first quarter of this year, the company has 'shed its body fat, making every flight profitable.' The structural adjustment has proven effective. With an average load factor of over 90% this year, coupled with oil prices pushing up fares, revenue is certain to grow and strive for a new high. Oil prices are a variable, but the profit target is no less than last year. Tigerair Taiwan held a media briefing today, attended by Chairwoman Huang Shi-hwei and President Qiu Zhang-xin, along with CCO & Spokesperson Hsu Chih-Yuan, COO Lai Chun-Ti, and CFO Jia Wei-Zhong, to share Tigerair Taiwan's 2026 strategic layout. Tigerair's Q1 revenue and net profit after tax reached a high point. Tigerair's revenue for the first quarter of 2026 was NT$5.538 billion, a year-on-year increase of 19.6%, with a net profit after tax of NT$1.335 billion, a significant growth of 41.6% compared to the same period last year, and earnings per share (EPS) of NT$2.91. Huang Shi-hwei said that the company had already adjusted its structure in the first quarter, successively removing seasonal 'ginger duck routes' that are profitable in winter but lose money in summer, as well as structurally unfavorable routes including Ibaraki, Asahikawa, and flights from Taichung and Kaohsiung to Macau. The 19% year-on-year revenue growth and 41% profit growth in the first quarter show that 'the body fat has been shed, and the constitution has improved significantly.' If oil prices stabilize, it will help profitability, and the 'profit target is not lower than last year.' Regarding the revenue target, she explained that this year, benefiting from oil prices pushing up fares and increases in flight numbers and load factors, 'revenue will definitely grow compared to last year,' meaning it will set a new high. However, profitability depends on the oil price variable. After eliminating routes that dilute profits, profitability will return to the first-quarter level when oil prices normalize. Huang Shi-hwei stated that recent conflicts have had a limited impact on Tigerair's flights, and the airline has not cut flights as a result. This is mainly because since April, when oil prices were normal, not a single route was losing money, so 'cutting flights equals reducing profits.' Besides maintaining profitable routes, Tigerair also paid out a 50% dividend, retaining capital to invest in new aircraft. 'I believe the shareholders who support us all hope Tigerair retains more money to buy more planes, because every flight is profitable.' Huang Shi-hwei said that Tigerair's average load factor from January to April this year was about 91%, and the outlook for May to June also remains above 90%. Some routes to second-tier cities are still being cultivated, with a load factor of about 85%, which means some popular routes can even reach 100%, pulling up the average. The booking rate for the peak summer season can also stably reach over 90%. Regarding the trend of ticket prices in the second half of the year, Huang Shi-hwei explained that Tigerair hopes to enhance its brand power and narrow the price gap with traditional airlines, and secure premium time slots.