Copa to focus on expanding own route network; LAN signs agreement with Aeroasis; GOL down
North and South American carriers' stocks were down again on Friday (07-May-2010) as wider markets continued to fall, resulting in the biggest weekly decline in more than a year. The Dow (-1.3%) moved lower as investors remained concerned over the European debt crisis, despite the Labor Department announcing job growth was at its fastest pace in four years in Apr-2010.
Latin American markets were also down with the US market, with the Brazilian Bovespa (-0.9%) and Chile's IPSA (-0.5%) ending the session lower.
GOL reports load factor improvement but profits down
GOL (-1.7%) declined despite reporting a 4.5 ppts year-on-year improvement in load factor for Apr-2010, to 63.2%, including an 8.7 ppt increase in international loads, while domestic loads increased 3.7 ppts.
The improvement was the result of a 26.5% rise in passenger traffic (RPKs) on a 17.4% increase in capacity (ASKs).
However, the day before, the carrier reported a 62.1% year-on-year decline in net profit for the three months ended 31-Mar-2010, to USD12.9 million. More positively, operating profit rose 82.1%, to USD103.2 million.
LAN signs agreement with Aeroasis
LAN Airlines (-1.0%) confirmed it had signed an agreement with Aeroasis for the provision of technical support and service consultancy in the process of obtaining an operating permit from the Colombian civil aviation authority, within the established deadlines.
LAN stated that once Aeroasis obtains its operating permit, the Colombian airline may become part of the LAN group of airline operators through association and integration agreements, which would be submitted for review to the relevant authorities.
Copa to focus on expanding route network
Copa Airlines (-0.4%) CEO, Pedro Heilbron, stated the carrier will grow through expanding its route network and increasing frequencies on existing routes rather than through a cross-border merger. The carrier, which has quadrupled its fleet to 56 aircraft since 1998 and operates to 45 destinations in 24 countries, has identified 30 further destinations for possible expansion, including three to four through 2010 into late 2011. Copa Airlines placed orders for 15 B737-800 aircraft last year and is targeting a fleet of 72 by 2012.
Also during trading, Copa Holdings announced Citibank has been mandated to arrange the Ex-Im Bank-guaranteed funding for five aircraft. Two will be delivered in May-2010 and the remaining three aircraft later this year, for which Ex-Im Bank has offered a preliminary commitment. The facility, totalling USD185 million, includes 12-year financing terms at very competitive rates. The facility will finance the remaining five aircraft scheduled for delivery to Copa Airlines in 2010.
Raymond James initiates coverage of Alaska Air
Elsewhere, Alaska Air (+3.5%) was one of the day's only gainers after Raymond James initiated coverage of the carrier with a "Strong Buy" rating and a USD60 price target. According to the analysts, revenue and profits for the group are in recovery. Raymond James predicts earnings per share of USD5.30 for FY2010 and USD5.55 for FY2011.
Hawaiian Airlines (+2.7%) was also up, while Expressjet (-5.9%) and Air Canada (-4.4%) were the day's biggest decliners.
America Airline Daily is your one-stop shop for news, data and analysis from the dynamic North American, Caribbean and Latin American aviation markets. Other stories featured in today's issue include:
- American Airlines and TWU reach agreement for workgroups;
- Delta Air Lines denies allegations of interference in union vote;
- ATA reports cargo traffic up in Mar-2010;
- JetBlue Airways and South African Airways announce new interline agreement;
- TAM Linhas Aereas takes delivery of 17th A330 aircraft.
North & South America selected airlines daily share price movements (% change): 07-May-2010
Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation & Yahoo! Finance