American Airlines and JetBlue sign slot swap agreement; TAM reports net profit for 4Q2009 and FY2009
The majority of North and South American carriers' stocks were up on Wednesday (31-Mar-2010), despite another rise in oil prices (+1.9%), to USD83.76, and falls in the wider market. The Dow (-0.5%) dropped following data showing an unexpected decline in private sector jobs in Mar-2010, with US companies cutting 23,000 jobs, compared to an expected increase of 40,000 jobs. However, airline shares were pushed higher by impressive financial results from TAM.
American Airlines and JetBlue sign slot swap agreement
American Airlines (+1.9%) and JetBlue Airways (+1.5%) were both up after signing an agreement to collaborate at key East Coast gateways, under which American intends to transfer eight slot pairs at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and one slot pair at Westchester County Airport to JetBlue. JetBlue in turn intends to transfer 12 slot pairs at New York JFK International Airport to American. The agreement will provide customers with interline service in non-overlapping markets. The companies are also exploring other avenues for commercial cooperation and will focus on routes to/from JFK and Boston that extend and complement each others' networks. Certain portions of the cooperative agreement may be subject to regulatory review.
Consequently, JetBlue Airways announced plans to launch operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Nov-2010. The carrier initially intends to offer at least eight daily departures from the airport to East Coast destinations. JetBlue also petitioned the FAA for access to unused slot pairs in the early morning and late-evening hours.
American Airlines meanwhile announced plans to add seven new destinations served by 23 additional services to and from New York's two airports.
See related report: Delta moves hub, Air Canada-Emirates to codeshare
TAM surges after reporting net profit of USD80.0 million for 4Q2009
TAM (+7.0%) was meanwhile the day's biggest gainer, after reporting a net profit of USD80.8 million for the three months ended 31-Dec-2009, compared to a loss of USD689.9 million in the previous corresponding period. However, operating profit for the period was down 55.2% year-on-year, to USD1,351 million.
Similarly, total yield was down 24.4%, to USD 12.41 cents, while total revenue per ASK was down 21.0%, to USD 12.41 cents.
For FY2009, net profit totalled USD753.6 million, compared to a loss of USD847.4 million in the previous corresponding period. Operating profit was down 51.8%, to USD188.6 million.
For 2010, the carrier expects passenger traffic (RPKs) to rise 14-18% year-on-year on a 12% increase in capacity (ASKs), resulting in a load factor of 69%. The carrier will add 16 aircraft to its fleet, an increase from its previously forecast five aircraft additions, taking its total fleet to 148 by the end of 2010. The carrier stated it has financing for all aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2010. The carrier added that it expects domestic load factors to remain stable, at 66%, compared to 65.4% in 2009.
Fellow Brazilian carrier, GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes, also gained after announcing plans to invest USD312.5 million in its operations in 2010, including USD136.2 million to acquire new aircraft from Boeing.
Elsewhere, Expressjet (-1.4%) and Republic Airways (-1.0%) were down.
Also in today's America Airline Daily:
- ATA airlines reports 3.7% fall in Feb-2010 pax;
- Frontier Airlines receives first of three new A320s scheduled for delivery over Northern Spring;
- Machinists Union and Hawaiian Airlines reach tentative agreement;
- Virgin America General Counsel appointed CEO of Asia Pacific Airlines;
- Air Canada and Asiana Airlines to build strategic partnership in Canada-Korea market;
- Skyservices Airlines suspends service;
- Peru Ministry of transportation reports domestic passenger traffic up in Feb-2010.
North & South America selected airlines daily share price movements (% change): 31-Mar-2010
