The Webjet Group (ASX: WJL) share price is leaping higher today.
Shares in the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) travel agency closed Friday trading for 52.5 cents. In morning trade on Monday, shares are changing hands for 55 cents apiece, up 4.8%.
For some context, the All Ords is down 0.9% at this same time.
As you’re likely aware, Webjet first listed as an independent entity on the ASX in September 2024. That followed its spin-off from Web Travel Group Ltd (ASX: WEB).
Since listing, the Webjet share price has experienced some steep ups and downs, with 2026 seeing shares take another sharp fall, down 37.5% since 2 January.
Today, investors learned that the company will be searching for new leadership.
Webjet share price gains on CEO departure
Investors are bidding up the Webjet share price today after the company announced that CEO and managing director Katrina Barry has resigned from her position.
Barry took the reins as CEO at Webjet in June 2024 in the lead-up to its demerger from Web Travel.
Webjet said that Barry will remain aboard until May to support the transition to new leadership and help manage the full-year results release.
The board said it will now launch a search process for her successor.
What did management say?
“Katrina led the business during the successful demerger and ASX listing of the group’s B2C business to become Webjet Group,” Webjet chairman Don Clarke said about the changing of the guard that’s looking to help boost the Webjet share price today.
“She then developed a new five-year strategic roadmap for the group and focused on the upgrade of the company’s brand, marketing, and technology capabilities”, he added.
Commenting on her time as CEO of Webjet, Barry said:
Over the past 21 months, we have made remarkable progress: setting a new five-year strategy and growth plan for the group, revitalising the iconic OTA brand and marketing strategy, driving profitability in the New Zealand business units, initiating evolution and enhancement of the technology and business travel platforms, and uplifting leadership capability.
How could the Middle East conflict impact the Webjet share price?
Turning to potential travel disruptions caused by the war in Iran, management noted:
While global uncertainty continues to influence travel behaviour, demand to date has remained resilient, with travellers increasingly favouring domestic and short-haul destinations across Asia and the Pacific.
The Webjet share price looks to be catching tailwinds with the company reaffirming its full-year FY 2026 guidance of underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) in the range of $28 million to $29 million. That excludes the Webjet Business Travel segment, which is expected to reduce underlying EBITDA by $600,000 to $900,000 in the second half of FY 2026.
The post Webjet share price lifting off on CEO bombshell appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
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Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.