Home Business News AIR Global Reports Third-Quarter and Nine-Month 2026 Results

AIR Global Reports Third-Quarter and Nine-Month 2026 Results

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Q3’26 revenue increased 11.1% YoY to $99.8 million

Q3’26 Adjusted EBITDA increased 7.7% YoY to $30.9 million

Nine-month revenue increased 6.0% to $306.7 million and Adjusted EBITDA increased 2.3% to $102.7 million

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, November, 2026 — AIR Global PLC (NASDAQ: AIIR), the global leader in Flavored Shisha Molasses (“FSM”), today announces its results for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2026. Unless otherwise specified, all comparative information in this release is presented with reference to the corresponding period of the preceding year.

Stuart Brazier, Chief Executive Officer of AIR Global, said:

“Third-quarter revenue increased 11.1% as volumes grew 5.8% and shipment activity continued to recover from the supply-chain disruptions experienced in the first half of the year. Logistics and material costs remain elevated as a consequence of the geopolitical situation; however, end-consumer demand remains resilient and performance across our key markets was strong, giving us confidence to reiterate our 2026 revenue growth guidance (in U.S. dollars) of 4%–6% and Adjusted EBITDA guidance of low- to mid-single-digit growth.

On October 1, 2026, we issued senior unsecured notes of $425 million with a coupon of 7.875% that mature in 2031, broadening our access to capital and increasing our financial flexibility. We also announced that AIR will pay an annual dividend of $0.28 per share beginning Q1’27, in quarterly installments, and expected to grow progressively thereafter, as well as up to $100 million of share repurchases through December 2029, funded by equity free cash flow1, reflecting our commitment to long-term value creation for our shareholders.

The submission of our PMTA for Crown Switch is an important milestone in AIR’s strategy to build a responsible, science-led presence in the regulated U.S. vaping market. The application reflects a substantial body of evidence spanning product quality, manufacturing, consumer behavior and population-level health impacts. We believe Crown Switch has the potential to provide adult smokers with a differentiated alternative to combustible cigarettes, and we look forward to the FDA’s review.

Our people responded to a period of significant change with focus, agility and determination and this has allowed us to continue to position AIR for its next phase of growth. Our focus now is to translate these strengths into sustainable, profitable growth and attractive long-term returns. Bassem Lotfy, Chief Financial Officer of AIR Global, added: “We remain on track to open our Romania factory during Q1’27, which will further diversify our manufacturing footprint and enhance our operational resilience in an uncertain geopolitical environment.

Our capital allocation framework is designed to support long-term value creation. Through equity free cash flow1 generation and with continued growth in Adjusted EBITDA, we expect leverage to decline over time and to be at or below 2.0x by December 2027.”

Webcast and Q&A Session:

AIR Global PLC will hold a live webcast for investors and analysts at 8:00AM ET on November 12, 2026, hosted by Stuart Brazier, CEO and Bassem Lotfy, CFO. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. The webcast and presentation slides will be available to view on our website at News/ Events. Conference call dial in details: +1 877 407 0752 or +1 201 389 0912. Alternatively, participants may use the Call Me™ service for immediate access to the event via the following link: Call ME. The Call Me™ service will be available 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

Results Highlights – Q3’26 and 9M’26

(in millions, except percentages and per-share amounts)

Metric Q3’26 Q3’25 YoY 9M’26 9M’25 YoY
Revenue 99.8 89.8 11.1% 306.7 289.3 6.0%
Gross profit 53.2 48.5 9.8% 170.0 162.5 4.6%
Operating (loss) / profit 17.9 17.0 5.1% (45.7) 68.6 NM
(Loss) / profit for the period 7.6 6.7 13.8% (74.2) 38.7 NM
EBITDA 23.7 21.8 9.0% (28.4) 82.8 NM
Adjusted EBITDA 30.9 28.7 7.7% 102.7 100.3 2.3%
Basic EPS ($) 0.052 0.047 10.6% (0.509) 0.270 NM

Note: Percentage changes are based on underlying unrounded figures and may differ from those calculated using the presented figures.

Q3’26 Performance Commentary:

  • FSM shipment volumes increased 5.8% in Q3’26 as shipment activity continued to normalize following the supply-chain disruptions experienced in H1’26, supported by resilient end-consumer demand.
  • Revenue increased 11.1% to $99.8 million in Q3’26, driven by 5.8% volume growth and 5.0% price/mix. FX impact was minimal, as AIR operates largely in U.S. dollars or U.S. dollar-pegged currencies.
  • Gross profit increased 9.8% to $53.2 million in Q3’26. Cost of sales increased 12.7% to $46.6 million reflecting higher logistics, material and factory footprint costs, resulting in a gross margin of 53.3% vs. 54.0% in Q3’25.
  • Profit for the period increased 13.8% to $7.6 million in Q3’26, compared with $6.7 million in Q3’25. Profit before taxation decreased 1.3% to $8.1 million, reflecting a $2.5 million fair value loss on financial instruments, partly offset by lower net finance costs of $7.2 million compared with $8.7 million in the prior-year quarter. Taxation was $0.4 million, compared with $1.5 million in Q3’25.
  • Adjusted EBITDA increased 7.7% to $30.9 million in Q3’26. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 31.0% vs. 31.9% in Q3’25.
  • Basic EPS was $0.052 in Q3’26, compared with $0.047 in Q3’25, an increase of 10.6% based on the disclosed EPS figures.

9M’26 Performance Commentary:

  • FSM shipment volumes declined 4.6% for 9M’26, reflecting the regional disruption and its impact on shipments in the first half of the year.
  • Revenue increased 6.0% to $306.7 million for 9M’26, with price/mix of 11.1% offsetting volume declines.
  • Gross profit increased 4.6% to $170.0 million, with a gross margin of 55.4% vs. 56.2% in 9M’25.
  • Net loss for the period was $74.2 million in the first nine months of 2026, impacted by several one-time items, including:
    • $48.2 million of non-cash listing expense in accordance with IFRS 2, relating to equity issued in connection with the business combination;
    • $47.7 million of IPO-related cash costs;
    • $14.1 million of non-cash share-based compensation expense;
    • $10.5 million of other public company readiness costs;
    • $4.3 million of supply chain-related costs resulting from the Strait of Hormuz disruption;
    • $3.4 million of regulatory costs relating to the preparation and submission of a U.S. Premarket Tobacco Product Application (“PMTA”); and
    • $2.2 million of significant provisions, write-offs and associated legal costs.
  • Adjusted EBITDA increased 2.3% to $102.7 million for 9M’26. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 33.5% vs. 34.7% in 9M’25.
  • Basic loss per share was $0.509, compared with basic earnings per share of $0.270 for the first nine months of 2025.

2026 Full-Year Outlook:

AIR reiterates its full-year 2026 outlook for operating performance:

  • Broadly stable shipment volumes compared with FY’25, reflecting the recovery in shipment activity during the second half of the year, despite an approximately 1.5% headwind from weaker Global Travel Retail (GTR) volumes resulting from the Middle East conflict.
  • Revenue growth of 4% to 6% in U.S. dollars.
  • Low- to mid-single-digit Adjusted EBITDA growth, reflecting continued underlying business performance, partly offset by incremental public-company costs, the accelerated reorganization of AIR’s factory footprint, and higher logistics and raw-material costs.
  • Year-end Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA3 of approximately 2.5x, compared with the prior expectation of approximately 2.1x, primarily reflecting bond-issuance cashflows and the timing of working-capital movements associated with the continuing supply-chain disruption. These working-capital effects are expected to normalize during 2027.
  • An effective tax rate of approximately 15%.
  • Capital expenditures of $11 million to $14 million, compared with $15 million to $18 million previously.
  • We regularly review capital allocation priorities. Future decisions to defer, reduce or discontinue investment in certain workstreams may represent indicators of impairment and could result in the recognition of impairment losses and write-offs where the carrying amount of the related assets exceeds their recoverable amount.

Medium-Term Outlook:

AIR reiterates its FY’27 and medium-term outlook for operating performance:

  • Low-single-digit organic FSM shipment-volume growth, supported by continued market-share gains and expansion into new markets, assuming non-disruptive excise-tax increases.
  • Mid-single-digit FSM revenue growth in U.S. dollars.
  • High-single-digit FSM Adjusted EBITDA growth in U.S. dollars.
  • The timing and scale of revenue and Adjusted EBITDA contributions from New Growth Categories will depend on FDA acceptance of AIR’s PMTA applications.
  • Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA at or below 2.0x by December 2027, including the impact of dividends and share repurchases.

* No reconciliation to the most directly comparable IFRS financial measures has been provided due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying certain amounts necessary for such reconciliation.

Capital allocation:

AIR’s capital allocation priorities balance investment in sustainable growth with disciplined shareholder returns and leverage management. The Company intends to commence an annual dividend of $0.28 per share, paid in quarterly installments, with Q1’27 results expected to be announced in May 2027. Thereafter, AIR intends to maintain a progressive dividend policy, with potential future dividend growth supported by earnings expansion, equity free cash flow generation and the Company’s financial position. AIR also intends to undertake up to $100 million of share repurchases through December 2029, subject to market conditions, capital requirements and applicable regulatory approvals. Capital returns are expected to be funded from equity free cash flow, defined as cash flow from operations less capital expenditure, interest expense, and principal and interest payments on lease liabilities. With a growth in Adjusted EBITDA, AIR expects leverage to decline to or below 2.0x by December 2027.

AIR’s capital allocation framework remains focused on investing in high-return growth opportunities, supporting the expansion of the Company’s reduced-risk product portfolio, maintaining a strong balance sheet and prudent leverage profile, and returning excess capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.

Business Review

Segmental Information – Q3’26 and 9M’26

(in millions, except percentages)

Segment Q3’26 Q3’25 YoY 9M’26 9M’25 YoY
Revenue            
FSM – Americas 21.9 17.5 25.6% 64.8 58.9 10.0%
FSM – MEAA 64.1 58.6 9.4% 200.8 190.0 5.7%
FSM – Europe 13.8 13.2 4.9% 39.1 38.2 2.1%
New Growth Categories (0.1) 0.6 NM 2.1 2.2 (2.6)%
Adjusted EBITDA            
FSM – Americas 7.8 8.1 (3.6)% 27.5 24.9 10.5%
FSM – MEAA 25.1 24.5 2.4% 84.9 86.8 (2.2)%
FSM – Europe 0.9 0.0 NM 1.1 1.8 (41.7)%
New Growth Categories (2.9) (3.9) NM (10.8) (13.2) NM


Note: Percentage changes are based on underlying unrounded figures and may differ from those calculated using the presented figures.

Q3’26 Segment Commentary

Americas

Revenue increased 25.6% to $21.9 million in Q3’26, driven by 28.5% volume growth and negative 2.3% price/mix, driven by timing of trade incentives. Adjusted EBITDA decreased 3.6% to $7.8 million, mainly reflecting higher cost of goods sold.

MEAA

Revenue increased 9.4% to $64.1 million in Q3’26, driven by 3.0% volume growth and 6.2% positive price/mix. Adjusted EBITDA increased 2.4% to $25.1 million, dampened by higher ongoing central office costs associated with being a public company and higher cost of goods sold.

Europe

Revenue increased 4.9% to $13.8 million in Q3’26, driven by 6.9% volume growth and negative price/mix of 1.8%. Adjusted EBITDA was $0.9 million, compared with breakeven in the prior-year period. Europe remained challenging, as excise tax increases and a lack of enforcement continue to drive illicit products.

New Growth Categories

Revenue was negative $0.1 million in Q3’26, reflecting timing of trade incentives, compared with positive $0.6 million in Q3’25. The Adjusted EBITDA loss narrowed to $2.9 million from $3.9 million in the prior-year period. The narrower loss reflects lower operating costs and more focused investment behind new product launches.

9M’26 Segment Commentary

Americas

Americas revenue increased 10.0% to $64.8 million for 9M’26, driven by 7.4% volume growth and 2.4% price/mix. Adjusted EBITDA increased 10.5% to $27.5 million.

MEAA

MEAA revenue increased 5.7% to $200.8 million for 9M’26, with price/mix of 13.5% offsetting a 6.9% volume decline. Adjusted EBITDA decreased 2.2% to $84.9 million.

Europe

Europe revenue increased 2.1% to $39.1 million for 9M’26, driven by 11.3% volume growth and negative price/mix of 8.2%. Adjusted EBITDA decreased to $1.1 million from $1.8 million.

NGC

New Growth Categories revenue decreased 2.6% to $2.1 million for the first nine months of 2026. The Adjusted EBITDA loss narrowed to $10.8 million from $13.2 million in the prior-year period.

Impact of the Strait of Hormuz Disruption

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted AIR’s supply chain during the first half of 2026 and affected the timing of shipments across several key markets. AIR established alternative routes and accelerated changes to its factory footprint to reduce its long-term dependence on the Strait. Shipment activity recovered as alternative routes came into operation, supporting stronger revenue growth in the third quarter.

Greentank Strategic Investment

On July 29, 2026, AIR announced a $20 million strategic investment in Greentank at a pre-money valuation of $170 million, together with an option to increase its ownership stake by a further 20% during the following 24 months at a valuation of $250 million. The partnership provides AIR with commercial advantages and supports the planned U.S. launch of Crown Switch.

Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation

Reconciliation of (loss)/ profit for the period to adjusted EBITDA

Nine-month period ended 30 September 2026 2025
  $000 $000
(Loss) / profit for the period (74,177) 38,690
Add / (subtract):    
Taxation 4,276 6,905
Finance costs 21,645 30,276
Finance income (632) (7,919)
Depreciation – property, plant and equipment 3,703 3,762
Depreciation – right-of-use assets 2,888 2,498
Amortization 10,734 7,981
Share of results in joint venture 374 603
Changes in fair value of derivative financial instruments 2,807 —
EBITDA (28,382) 82,796
Non-recurring items:    
Share-based compensation (i) 14,077 3,405
Corporate restructuring costs 797 1,091
Significant provisions, write-offs and associated legal costs 2,164 8,710
Public company readiness cost (ii) 10,450 4,342
Extraordinary costs caused by regional disruption (iii) 4,253 –
Regulatory costs (iv) 3,411 –
Fees related to BCA transaction (v) 47,735 –
Expense of equity issued at BCA transaction date (net) (vi) 48,150 –
Adjusted EBITDA 102,655 100,344

Please note that further details on Adjusted EBITDA, including footnotes (i)–(vi), are included in Appendix C.

Share Count:

At the end of Q3’26, AIR had approximately 155.39 million ordinary shares outstanding, including approximately 8.69 million Earnout Shares, which will vest only if specified share-price thresholds are achieved by May 15, 2031.

Debt Financing:

In September 2026, AIR priced a $425 million senior unsecured notes offering, representing an important step in strengthening the Company’s capital structure and financial flexibility. The notes carry a coupon of 7.875% and mature in 2031. The offering subsequently closed on October 1, 2026, and the proceeds were used to fully refinance the existing term loan facility and repay the outstanding revolving credit facility.

Glossary:

  1. Equity free cash flow: AIR defines equity free cash flow as cash flow from operations less capital expenditure, interest expense, and principal and interest payments on lease liabilities.
  2. AIR defines EBITDA as earnings for the period before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortization. The most directly comparable IFRS measure is profit/(loss) for the period. EBITDA is an intermediate step in AIR’s calculation of Adjusted EBITDA, as set out in Appendix C.
  3. AIR defines Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, further adjusted to exclude items such as non-recurring expenses, share-based compensation and other non-operating expenses. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure specifically defined under IFRS. The most directly comparable IFRS measure is profit/(loss) for the period. A reconciliation is set out in Appendix C.
  4. AIR defines Net Debt as total borrowings (comprising current and non-current interest-bearing loans and borrowings and lease liabilities) less cash and cash equivalents, each as reported on AIR’s IFRS statement of financial position. AIR defines the ratio of Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA (“leverage”) as Net Debt divided by Adjusted EBITDA. Neither Net Debt nor the Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio is presented in accordance with IFRS; the most directly comparable IFRS measures are total borrowings and cash and cash equivalents, each as reported on AIR’s statement of financial position. AIR believes this ratio is a useful measure of AIR’s capital structure and progress toward its target leverage. A reconciliation of profit/(loss) for the period to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is set forth in Appendix C, and a reconciliation of total borrowings to Net Debt is set forth under “Reconciliation of total borrowings to Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA” below.

See “Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures” for further information regarding the non-IFRS financials measures included in this press release.

Appendix

Appendix A: Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

As at 30 September 2026 31 December 2025
  $000 $000
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 26,153 28,410
Right-of-use assets 15,529 11,663
Intangible assets 366,420 371,277
Trade and other receivables 74 293
Investments in joint ventures 1,881 2,255
Financial asset at FVOCI 12,476 –
Derivative financial instruments 1,137 –
Deferred tax assets 42,246 41,071
465,916 454,969
Current assets
Inventories 73,020 55,331
Trade and other receivables 130,591 93,160
Restricted deposit 18,200 –
Advance tax 2,258 274
Cash and cash equivalents 38,944 119,456
263,013 268,221
Total assets 728,929 723,190
LIABILITIES
Non-current liabilities
Derivative financial instruments – 1,216
Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings 303,622 357,679
Lease liabilities 13,728 9,935
Employee benefits 6,765 6,542
Deferred tax liabilities 390 436
324,505 375,808
Current liabilities    
Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings 82,496 29,852