Vueling gains on rise in passenger numbers; Air France-KLM sees some signs of recovery

In major markets, UK's FTSE (+0.4%), France's CAC (+0.8%) and Germany's DAX (+0.9%) were all up.

Vueling gains on rise in passenger numbers

Vueling (+9.2%) was the day's biggest gainer, after reporting a 94.8% year-on-year increase in passenger numbers for Jan-2010, 675,307. Load factor, however, declined 0.3 ppts, to 63.8%.

Iberia (+4.8%) is expected to report its Jan-2010 traffic results on 11-Feb-2010.

Air France-KLM sees some signs of recovery

Air France-KLM (+2.5%) shares were up after it reported "some signs of recovery" and narrowed its losses for the three months ended 31-Dec-2009. For 3Q2009/10, the group reported a net loss of EUR294 million, compared to a loss of EUR506 million in the previous corresponding period. However, the carrier still expects to report a 4Q2009/10 loss on par with last year's result, as the economic environment "remains difficult".

See related article: Air France-KLM slowly crawling out of a very deep hole

Analysts reduce loss expectations for British Airways

British Airways (+2.3%) gained after a number of analysts upgraded their FY2009/10 results for the carrier, after the release of better than expected 3Q2009/10 results last week. Citigroup reduced its operating loss forecast from USD596 million to a loss of USD485 million, adding that its expects the carrier to report an operating profit of USD217 million to USD276 million for FY2010/11. Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, RBS and Societe Generale also reduced their loss forecasts.

Also during trading, news broke that the carrier has reportedly approached former temporary contract cabin crew staff released in 2009 to cover cabin crew positions if the staff elect to strike later this year. The former staff have reportedly been offered six month contracts worth approximately GBP1,000 per month, with retraining for the staff to commence on 22-Feb-2010.

The very latest on British Airways and carriers from all over Europe can be found in Europe Airlines Daily. Other stories in today's issue include:

• easyJet takes delivery of 21st A320 aircraft;
• Skyways to base two Fokker 50 aircraft at Jönköping Airport;
• Malév Asset Management Kft to enforce a EUR32 million bank guarantee.

TUI sees improving demand

TUI Travel (+1.1%) also rose after CEO, Peter Long, stated it group has received a "surprising" increase in demand for Summer 2010 holidays in the UK and Nordic region, following greater optimism in the jobs market and personal finances. As a result, it has boosted UK Summer capacity by 3% and Nordic capacity by 11%. The group reported a net loss of GBP124 million, compared to a loss of GBP67 million in the previous corresponding period, the day prior.

Dart Group (-5.2%) and Aeroflot (-2.5%) were meanwhile two of the few to see shares fall on Wednesday.

Europe selected airlines daily share price movements (% change): 10-Feb-2010

Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation & Yahoo! Finance