BAA does not regret Gatwick sale, Ferrovial dips on BAA’s GBP821.9 million loss after tax
Shares in Spain's Ferrovial, owner of BAA, dipped 0.4% yesterday, upon the release the airport operator's financial report for the 12 months ended 31-Dec-2009. BAA reported a 17.1% increase in EBITDA, to GBP885.2 million for 2009, on an 8.3% increase in revenue to GBP1.97 billion, despite a 3.8% year-on-year reduction in passenger traffic.
BAA sold London Gatwick International Airport in 2009, which CEO, Colin Matthews, stated the company "does not regret". It reported GBP277.3 million in losses related to the sale of Gatwick. Overall, BAA reported a GBP821.9 million loss after tax in 2009, deepening from a loss of GBP324.2 million in the previous corresponding period.
Mr Matthews added BAA is under no pressure to sell another airport, despite an upcoming debt repayment of GBP1.6 billion in Apr-2010, stating there are different mechanisms for financing the debt.
Lufthansa pilot strike suspended, could have cost Fraport EUR1.5 million per day
In Germany, meanwhile, Fraport's shares gained 0.8% yesterday, as the Lufthansa pilots strike was suspended. The carrier however warned the consequences of the strike will lead to continued flight irregularities in the following days (the carrier has released special timetables for the 22-25-Feb-2010 period, although these remain subject to short-term adjustments). The carrier stated it expects to return to its regular schedule as of 26-Feb-2010. Fraport earlier forecast the pilots strike would cost Frankfurt Airport between EUR1-1.5 million per day of strike action.
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Selected airports daily share price movements (% change): 22-Feb-2010
