Flight Centre is counting on a rebound in demand for travel to help it achieve a return to monthly profitability within the current financial year.

The travel agency, which was among the worst-affected companies as domestic and international travel collapsed amid the coronavirus pandemic, says the sector is poised to take off again in Australia based on the surge in inquiries and bookings in recent weeks.

“International leisure bookings have now surpassed domestic bookings in Australia for the first time since the start of the pandemic and almost tripled between July and September,” managing director Graham Turner will tell shareholders in a speech on Wednesday.

“Booking numbers this month have already surpassed the September total with more than a third of the month still to come.”

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Flight Centre is targeting a return to “monthly profitability” in both corporate and leisure travel sectors later this financial year, helped by a much leaner cost base and a more efficient operating model.

The company slumped to an underlying net loss of $364 million for the 2020/21 financial year as lockdowns and travel restrictions smashed its business.

The company declined to provide a profit guidance for FY22 given the uncertainty.

“The exact timing of our return to profitability is uncertain and remains largely in government hands, given that revenue generation opportunities are intrinsically linked to borders re-opening and staying open; and international travel resuming in a more meaningful way globally,” Mr Turner will tell shareholders at the company’s annual general meeting.

Flight Centre shares were down 2.3 per cent at $22.21 by 1050 AEST.

-AAP