Air Berlin revenue down 4.4% in 2009, forecast 2010 growth to exceed industry growth

Air Berlin revenue down 4.4% - financial highlights for the 12 months ended 31-Dec-2009:

• Revenue: EUR3,240 million, -4.4% year-on-year;
• Other operating income: EUR42.4 million, +9.9%;
• Operating cost: EUR3,254 million, -5.0%;
  • Materials and services: EUR2,193 million, -7.1%;
    • Fuel: EUR715.4 million, -18.2%;
  • Labour: EUR440.7 million, -1.2%;
• Operating profit: EUR28.5 million, +1,328%;
• Profit (loss) before tax: (EUR21.7 million), compared to a loss of EUR70.0 million in the previous corresponding period;
• Passenger numbers: 27.9 million, -2.3%;
• Load factor: 77.3%, -1.1 ppt;
• Revenue per RPK: EUR 8.27 cents, +8.2%;
• Revenue per ASK: EUR 6.40 cents, +6.6%;
• Cost per ASK: EUR 5.59 cents, +5.0%;
• Cost per ASK excl fuel: EUR 4.17 cents, +10.0%;
• 2010 forecast:
  • Passenger numbers: +5%;
  • Capacity (seats): +5%;
  • Load factor: stable. [more]

Air Berlin: "For 2010, Air Berlin expects to grow faster than the overall market, for which IATA has predicted a 4.5 percent increase in passengers transported. This would bring the number of passengers travelling on Air Berlin in 2010 significantly over the 30-million mark, for the very first time…for growth during the current year, Air Berlin is focusing on its intra-European flights, for which the impulses are expected to be the strongest. Air Berlin is expecting a noticeable increase in profit for the 2010 business year, in particular since the routes acquired from TUIfly will contribute to revenue for the first time over the entire year. Air Berlin will continue its efforts to improve performance and reduce costs. Against this background, profitable growth is likely to continue in 2010," Company statement. Source: Air Berlin, 25-Mar-2010.