Aegean Airlines: RASK growth drives return to profit in 1H2013, with Olympic Air decision looming
Greece's largest airline Aegean Airlines reported a first half profit in 1H2013 for the first time since 1H2009, putting it on track to post its first full year profit since 2009. Aegean has laid down a good track record of cost control over a number of years, but unit revenue weakness has undermined this and led to annual losses.
The return to profit for the half year was due to strong growth in revenues, led by international routes and driven by a significant rise in RASK. Tight capacity management contributed to this performance and Aegean will be hoping that strong unit revenues can be sustained into the second half in spite of growing LCC competition.
Meanwhile, the European Commission is expected to rule on Aegean's proposed acquisition of Olympic Air in Oct-2013 and this will be the key strategic milestone in 2H2013.
- Aegean Airlines reported a profit in the first half of 2013, the first time since 2009, due to strong revenue growth and cost control measures.
- The profit was driven by international routes, with passenger numbers growing by 11% in this segment.
- Domestic passenger numbers fell by 5% during the same period.
- Aegean Airlines is facing increasing competition from low-cost carriers in the European market.
- The European Commission is expected to decide on Aegean's proposed acquisition of Olympic Air in October 2013, which would strengthen Aegean's position in the domestic market.
- The acquisition could indirectly benefit Aegean's international position by keeping low-cost carriers out of the domestic market.
Aegean is back in the black in 1H2013 with strong revenue growth
In 1H2013, Aegean Airlines turned around last year's loss of EUR39 million into a net profit of EUR16 million. Operating profit (EBIT) was EUR17 million (loss of EUR45 million last year). Revenues grew by 22% to reach EUR279 million, with passenger numbers up 3% to 2.8 million. Cash and cash equivalents were EUR209 million at 30-Jun-2013, compared with EUR149 million at 31-Dec-2012.
Aegean Airlines financial highlights: 1H2013
Source: Aegean Airlines
Aegean's unit revenues (total revenue per available seat kilometre, RASK) increased by an impressive 23%, while its unit costs (operating costs per ASK, CASK) fell by 4% (note, we calculate CASK using costs at the EBIT level, while Aegean's published CASK figures use costs before depreciation and operating lease expenses).
Aegean Airlines RASK and CASK: 1H2013 vs 1H2012
| 1H2012 | 1H2013 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RASK EUR cent | 5.42 | 6.64 | 23% |
| CASK EUR cent | 6.54 | 6.29 | -4% |
| CASK ex fuel EUR cent | 4.52 | 4.36 | -4% |
| Rev/pax EUR | 84.97 | 100.00 | 18% |
International traffic rises while domestic passenger numbers fall
Passenger numbers grew by 3%, driven by international traffic, where passenger growth was 11%. Domestic passenger numbers fell by 5%. Aegean has not published ASK and RPK data for 1H2013, but ASK figures can be calculated from its published revenue and RASK data. Based on these calculations, ASKs actually fell by 1%.
Deriving RPK data from published figures for passenger yield and passenger revenues, we calculate that RPKs grew by 7% and load factor gained 5.2% to reach 74.6%. Aegean says that load factor on international flights increased by 7 ppts to reach 76%, which implies that domestic load factor declined.
Aegean Airlines passenger traffic: 1H2013 vs 1H2012
Source: Aegean Airlines
Aegean Airlines ASK and RPK data: 1H2013 vs 1H2012
| 1H2012 | 1H2013 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RPK million | 2,931 | 3,130 | 7% |
| ASK million | 4,223 | 4,196 | -1% |
| Load factor % | 69.4 | 74.6 | 5.2 |
| Pax m | 2.694 | 2.786 | 3% |
International traffic growth reflects incoming leisure demand
Growth in international passenger numbers, which was 11% for 1H2013, was even stronger for the three month period May to Jul-2013, when it was 22%. Among Aegean's five main bases, the strongest growth in these summer months was at the Greek island cities of Rhodes (41%) and Heraklion (31%). Among its other bases, Kos (also an island destination) and Kalamata also saw very strong growth. Strength in international passenger traffic reflects incoming leisure demand.
Aegean Airlines international passenger traffic: May to Jul-2013
Source: Aegean Airlines
Revenues up 22% thanks to international routes
Aegean's 22% growth in first half revenues was driven by scheduled flight revenues, which accounted for 84% of the total and were also up by 22%. Charter flight revenues grew more slowly, at 17%, and other revenue (including cargo and onboard sales) grew by 26%.
Aegean Airlines revenues: 1H2013
| EUR million | 1H2012 | 1H2013 | Change | % of 1H2013 total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled flights | 191.4 | 233.3 | 22% | 84% |
| Charter flights | 22.4 | 26.3 | 17% | 9% |
| Other | 15.1 | 19.0 | 26% | 7% |
| Total | 228.9 | 278.6 | 22% | 100% |
Revenue growth significantly outstripped growth in passenger numbers, partly reflecting longer average sector length (around 3%). However, with revenue per passenger up 18% to EUR100, this is not all due to growth in average journey lengths: increased load factors also played a part.
Although Aegean has not given a breakdown of international versus domestic revenue, it says that domestic revenues declined. It achieved growth in international traffic and revenues, however, and this suggests that it is having some success in competing with LCCs.
Nevertheless, Aegean notes that: "Another parameter that continues to generate challenges for the Company is increasing competition from the major European low-cost carriers." LCCs' share of international seats to/from Greece was 35% in the first eight months of 2013, up from just below 32% in 2012 and less than 5% in 2003.
Revenue growth was also considerably stronger than growth in ASKs, with RASK up 23%. If growth in RASK is maintained for the full year, this will be the first year of RASK growth since 2008. Although average sector lengths increased in 1H2013, the rate of growth was slower than the double digit rates seen in recent years and this in itself would reduce the downward pressure on RASK. Tight capacity management also seems to be contributing towards improved pricing power.
Aegean sees a positive outlook for the third quarter and expects to see further growth in international sales, with domestic routes continuing to shrink.
Costs down 4%
Operating costs fell by 4% year-on-year, helped by a 4% fall in fuel costs (the biggest cost category), itself mainly due to lower jet fuel prices. There were also reductions in both lease costs and labour costs. Aircraft lease expenses fell by 8% as a result of the renegotiation of terms with lessors in the second half of 2012. Labour cost reductions of 15% partly reflect the outsourcing of ground handling in 2012 and build on Aegean's already creditable labour productivity position relative to many other European airlines.
See related report: European airline labour productivity: CAPA rankings
Both CASK and CASK ex fuel fell by 4% in 1H2013 and, if full year CASK is below the level of 2012, this will continue a run of falling CASK that goes back to 2007.
Aegean Airlines operating costs: 1H2013
| EUR million | 1H2012 | 1H2013 | Change | % of 1H2013
total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel cost | 85.1 | 81.3 | -4% | 31% |
| Lease cost | 35.9 | 33.1 | -8% | 13% |
| Labour cost | 35.1 | 29.9 | -15% | 11% |
| Depreciation | 5.8 | 5.5 | -5% | 2% |
| Other expenses | 114.3 | 114.3 | 0% | 43% |
| Total | 276.2 | 264.1 | -4% | 100% |
EC to decide on Olympic Air acquisition in mid Oct-2013
A decision by the EU's Competition Commission on Aegean's planned acquisition of Olympic Air is expected in mid Oct-2013. Aegean hopes that the acquisition, if approved, will allow it to offer comprehensive coverage of the domestic market and to improve international-domestic connectivity.
Olympic Air's current shareholder, Marfin Investment Group, recently reported its results for 1H2013. The notes to its first half accounts reveal that Olympic lost EUR12.2 million in 1H2013, a narrower loss than the EUR21.6 million it lost in 1H2012. The combined revenues of Olympic Air and Olympic Engineering declined significantly from EUR83 million in 1H2012 to EUR56 million in 1H2013 (the significant majority of this is Olympic Air). The reduction in sales revenues and the narrowing of net losses at Olympic Air appear to demonstrate that network rescheduling, the removal of non-profitable routes and cost cutting measures are continuing to have an impact.
In spite of Aegean's reduction in size in the domestic market and Olympic's ongoing contraction, the two carriers are number one and two respectively in the Greek domestic market and they have 90% of domestic seats between them (source: Innovata, week of 2-Sep-2013). At Athens, the two have 99.6% of seats on domestic routes between them.
See related report: Aegean Airlines: caught between the devil and the deep blue sea after three annual losses in a row
Top Airlines in Greece ranked by domestic seats: 2-Sep-2013 to 8-Sep-2013
|
Rank |
Airline |
Share of seats |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
52% |
|
|
2 |
38% |
|
|
3 |
3% |
|
|
4 |
2% |
|
|
5 |
2% |
|
|
6 |
1% |
|
|
7 |
transavia.com |
1% |
|
8 |
1% |
|
|
9 |
1% |
|
|
|
Total |
100% |
The domestic market is where the European Commission's investigation is focusing its attention, although it is little more than one quarter of the size of the international market to/from Greece (by seats). LCCs currently have only around 2% of the domestic Greek market (Jan to Aug-2013), but this has doubled from 2012. If Aegean is prevented from carrying out the acquisition of Olympic, this could further open up opportunities for LCCs, who already have a strong presence in international markets to/from Greece.
Aegean is also number one in the international market, but it only has 16% of seats, while Olympic is number 25 with a share of 1%. LCCs take a large number of places among the top 10 international airlines in Greece.
Top airlines in Greece ranked by international seats: 2-Sep-2013 to 8-Sep-2013
|
Rank |
Airline |
Share of seats |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
16% |
|
|
2 |
10% |
|
|
3 |
8% |
|
|
4 |
6% |
|
|
5 |
5% |
|
|
6 |
4% |
|
|
7 |
4% |
|
|
8 |
3% |
|
|
9 |
2% |
|
|
10 |
transavia.com |
2% |
|
… |
|
|
|
25 |
1% |
|
|
|
All others |
39% |
|
|
Total |
100% |
The proposed Olympic deal would considerably strengthen Aegean's position in the domestic market, but it risks being diluted or even prevented by the European Commission. It is unlikely to have a significant direct impact on Aegean's position in international markets, where LCCs continue to build on their unit cost advantage and FSCs offer superior global connections (although Aegean's membership of the Star Alliance is an asset in this latter respect).
However, the acquisition would provide a strong domestic basis and keeping LCCs out of the domestic market would be indirectly positive for Aegean's international position.