International Airlines Group: 2015 target raised thanks to BA & Vueling; Iberia still has work to do

As CAPA predicted, IAG increased its operating profit target for 2015 at its recent capital markets day. This reflects better progress than previously expected at British Airways, the integration of Vueling into the group and additional growth at both BA and Vueling.

The group's target has been raised from EUR1.6 billion to EUR1.8 billion. British Airways' own 2015 operating profit target has been raised from GBP1.1 billion to GBP1.3 billion. This would bring BA to an operating margin in the region of its best-ever level of 10%.

The increase in the BA target, translated into EUR, is more than the increase in the group target. The implicit reduction in the Iberia target increases the pressure on its restructuring programme to create a competitive cost base. Nevertheless, the group as a whole now faces the real prospect of generating a return on capital ahead of its cost of capital.