El Al requests denied to remove conditions for Eilat route; Aeroflot floats bonds, BA down
The majority of European carriers' shares were down on Monday (12-Apr-2010), pushed lower by a 0.7% rise in oil prices, to USD84.34. Wider markets were flat, with banks the day's biggest gainers, after euro zone finance ministers agreed to a EUR30 billion emergency aid fund for Greece, if it requests help. The mining sector meanwhile was one of the day's biggest losers.
In key markets, UK's FTSE (+0.1%) was marginally higher, while France's CAC and Germany's DAX ended trading flat.
In the UK, the Leading Economic Index (LEI) increased by 0.6% in Feb-2010 to 100.6 (2004 = 100), following gains of 0.8% in Jan-2010 and 0.4% in Dec-2009, according to The Conference Board. Senior Economist for Europe, Jean-Claude Manini, stated "the pace of increase of the LEI for the United Kingdom has moderated but the deceleration of the index is less than that of the LEI for the Euro Area. The leading indicators suggest the British economy should continue to expand in the short term but as factors driving consumption are likely to remain weak, the recovery is unlikely to gather speed."
British Airways awaiting decision on new pay offer
British Airways (-2.1%) was also down. CEO, Willie Walsh, has informed staff the carrier is waiting on the Unite cabin crew's decision on its new pay and staffing level proposals. Talks between the carrier and union are progressing but Unite has not yet indicated whether it will accept the proposals. Cabin crew strikes in Mar-2010 reportedly cost the carrier up to GBP45 million. UK Civil Aviation Authority data indicates pay for British Airways cabin crew rose 5% in 2009 to an average of GBP31,400 p/a, including gross basic pay, overtime, flying bonuses and subsistence allowances.
Also during trading, BA appointed Paul Spencer, as Chairman of its pension trustees as part of efforts to resolve the carrier's pension scheme deficit and smooth the merger with Iberia, which still has concerns over the level of BA's pension debt. British Airways and Iberia signed a merger agreement on 08-Apr-2010, after receiving approval from competition authorities and shareholders.
El Al's requests denied to remove conditions for Eilat route
El Al (-3.9%) shares took the biggest fall on Monday. During trading, the Israel State Attorney's Office recommended that all court appeals of the Transportation Ministry decision to let El Al operate to Eilat be rejected. Arkia and Israir have sought to overturn the decision, while El Al is seeking to remove the conditions imposed by the Ministry.
Aeroflot floats bonds
Aeroflot (-2.2%) shares fell after news the carrier reportedly floated series BO-01 and BO-02 exchange bonds worth a total of RUB12 billion (USD409 million). The first coupon rate was set at 7.75% p/a. The amount of interest to be paid on each exchange bond is RUB38.64 (USD1.32), while the par value of each security is RUB1,000 (USD34.11). The exchange bonds are placed at 100% of their par value.
Elsewhere, Cimber Sterling (+4.6%) continued to rise on the back of improved traffic results reported earlier in the week, while Eurofly (+2.5%) and Vueling (+1.3%) were also up. Italy's FTSE MIB and Spain's SMSI gained 0.8% and 0.7%, respectively.
Europe Airline Daily is an efficient morning briefing on European airline developments. Covering fleets, routes, financials, traffic, bilateral agreements, alliances, financing, ownership, along with analysis of all significant developments. Other articles featured in today's issue include:
- Eastern Airways launches new online booking facility;
- Over half of Air France short-haul aircraft now equipped with new seats;
- Andalus Líneas Aereas halts operations;
- Malév conducting investigation based on finding of a recent anti-corruption audit;
- UTair commences service with first CRJ-200.
Europe selected airlines daily share price movements (% change): 12-Apr-2010
Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation & Yahoo! Finance