SAS on counter-offensive; Turkish Airlines aiming for 31 million passengers this year
European airline shares were mixed on Monday (21-Jun-2010), despite wider markets reaching a seven-week closing high for the day. Markets gained on the Chinese Government's moves to loosen controls on the exchange rate, boosting investors' hopes for the global economic recovery.
- European airline shares were mixed despite wider markets reaching a seven-week closing high.
- SAS plans to take a counter-offensive stance against competitors to defend its market share.
- Turkish Airlines aims to increase passenger levels from 25 million in 2009 to 31 million in 2010.
- British Airways' cabin crew union is expected to launch a new ballot for strike action.
- BA CEO vows to operate 100% of its long-haul operations if strike action resumes.
- Ryanair declined while Norwegian Air Shuttle and TNT saw gains in their share prices.
In key markets, UK's FTSE (+0.9%), France's CAC (+1.3%) and Germany's DAX (+1.2%) all ended the session higher.
SAS takes counter-offensive stance
SAS (-2.8%) recorded the day's biggest decline on comments over the weekend that it plans to take a counter-offensive stance against competitors that have taken market share from SAS. The carrier stated that above all, it plans to defend its position on important business routes.
Turkish Airlines aiming for 31 million passengers this year
Turkish Airlines (-1.0%) was also down. During trading, the carrier launched four times weekly Istanbul-Alexandria service, with the new route increasing the carrier's destinations to 124 worldwide. The carrier added that it expects to add nine more flights to its network this year to increase passenger levels from 25 million in 2009 to 31 million in 2010.
See related CAPA Profile: Route Changes
British Airways union looking to launch further strike action
British Airways (-0.2%) slipped after news its cabin crew union, Unite, is expected to advise the carrier of plans to launch a new ballot for strike action on 21-Jun-2010, which could mean voting will commence next week. If cabin crew vote for the strike, action could commence as soon as 03-Aug-2010. Joint General Secretaries, Tony Woodley and Derek Simpson, told crew there are three areas of dispute: the carrier's use of volunteer cabin crew; the removal of travel concessions from striking staff; and "vindictive" disciplinary action against at least 70 staff.
BA CEO, Willie Walsh, has vowed the carrier will operate 100% of its long-haul operations if strike action resumes. Mr Walsh also commented that the ongoing issue is not over the return of travel concessions, stating the perks would have been reinstated had Unite accepted BA's latest offer.
See related CAPA Profile: Industrial Relations
Elsewhere, Ryanair (-2.3%) also declined, while Norwegian Air Shuttle (+3.6%) rose as the Oslo Bors gained 2.0%. TNT (+2.8%) was also up.
Europe selected airlines daily share price movements (% change): 21-Jun-2010
