Alexandria El Nouzha Airport

Yield enhancement the key to Jazeera’s 2011 performance

One of the outstanding factors in Jazeera Airways’ turnaround over the past 15 months has been the dramatic jump in the yield levels achieved by the carrier. Having shrunk into profitability, the Kuwait-based carrier has fewer routes and less aircraft but has reported five consecutive quarters of record profits and is set to report its best-ever full-year result for 2011.

At the end of 3Q2011, the carrier reported yields of 52.3 Kuwaiti fils, up 42% over 3Q2010 and a remarkable 91% above 3Q2009 levels. Increasing yields are expected to continue through the final quarter of 2011 and into 2012. This provides a tremendously strong platform for the carrier to develop from, as it puts in place its strategic development plan over the next few years.

Air Arabia profit edges up in second quarter

Air Arabia has overcome a regional travel downturn and “tumultuous” market conditions to post a profit for the three months to 30-Jun-2011 of AED51 million (USD13.9 million), a modest increase of 2% over the same period in 2011.

Arab unrest puts brakes on Air Arabia's Jordan expansion

The ripples from the Arab Spring continue to spread. Air Arabia, the largest LCC in the Middle East, announced in Jun-2011 that it would delay the launch of its Jordanian JV due to the downturn in traffic in the region, as well as higher oil prices. While the political and social environment in Jordan is described by the carrier as “stable”, Syria, Bahrain, Egypt and Tunisia still have not resolved local political instability.

European and Middle East carriers fighting for market share on Europe-Middle East route

European carriers are becoming increasingly concerned by the Middle East airline threat on their core international businesses. CEOs from British Airways, Air France and Lufthansa have all voiced their opinions lately, as Middle East airlines continue to expand their global networks. But the European flag carriers are not standing idly by. Several are rapidly expanding their presence in the Middle East, to maintain and/or grow their share of this promising market. Emirates is the clear market leader, with a 21.0% share of capacity on Middle East-Europe routes. Qatar Airways is the second largest, with 8.7%, while Lufthansa, British Airways and Air France have just 5.6%, 3.5% and 2.7% shares, respectively.

EgyptAir targeting improved full-year profits; no LCC plans yet, as new entrants increase pressure

EgyptAir Holding company Chairman and CEO, Hussein Massoud, stated the carrier plans to increase full-year profits by nearly a third, commenting that the carrier is currently “making a profit", and adding: "We are planning to see more this year”. The company is targeting a USD132 million profit in the 12 months to Jun-2011, a 31% year-on-year increase.