Finnair negotiations break down; Air France-KLM to cut flights; Cimber Sterling yield up 26%
Finnair (-3.9%) shares slumped in another day of mixed trading for European airline shares on Tuesday (07-Dec-2010), despite European markets climbing to the highest level in more than two years. Finnair was down after news mediation to end the eight-day strike by its cabin crews broke down on 06-Dec-2010.
The carrier cancelled a further 180 services on 07-Dec-2010 as a number of unions launched supportive strike actions against the carrier in support of the strike by the Cabin Crew Union. Transport Workers' Union ceased delivering fuel to Finnair aircraft, while other unions took measures that will affect catering, check-in services, ground handling, de-icing, cargo and postal services.
On 07-Dec-2010, the Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) announced it expanded the list of Helsinki Airport services it would deny the carrier to include maintenance, repairs, and inspections of the company's aircraft. British Airways is among 10 carrier that will be affected by the 07-Dec-2010 announcement.
Since the strike began on 30-Nov-2010, more than 1400 services have been cancelled, affecting more than 74,000 travellers, with 40% of its scheduled flights operated. The carrier says it will be able to operate on some routes with Director of Communications Taneli Hassinen confident "the situation would be reviewed in a couple of day's time".
See related CAPA Profile: Industrial Relations
Air France-KLM to cut flights from Paris CDG on Wednesday
Air France-KLM (-2.2%) also declined after Air France confirmed it will operate all its long-haul flights to and from Paris CDG, but some domestic and European flights will be cancelled due to severe weather. French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) has reduced the number of flights permitted at the airport for 08-Dec-2010 in consideration of the conditions forecast for Paris.
Also during trading, Air France-KLM reported a 1.1 ppt year-on-year improvement in load factor for Nov-2010, to 79.1%. Passenger numbers were also up, rising 4.7% for the month to 5.7 million. The group added unit RASK excluding currency was up year-on-year.
See related CAPA Profile: Traffic and Capacity
Cimber Sterling yield up 26%
Cimber Sterling (+4.1%) was the biggest gainer of the day after reporting a 26% increase in yield for Oct-2010, to EUR13.83 cents. RASK was also up for the month, rising 28%, to EUR9.13 cents.
Also during trading, the LCC reported a 7.0 ppt lift in load factor for Nov-2010, to 64%. Passenger numbers were up 24% for the month, to 163,135.
Competitor Norwegian Air Shuttle (-5.0%) declined as a result. Dart Group (-2.0%) and Aegean Airlines (-1.4%) were also down for the day.
Elsewhere, Air Berlin (+3.1%) rose for the session after reporting a 3.2 ppt increase in load factor, to 74.9%. Thomas Cook Group (+3.1%) was also up/
Europe selected airlines daily share price movements (% change): 07-Dec-2010
Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, Yahoo! Finance & Reuters