Finnair Group interim report 1 January – 31 March 2015

Revenues on a par with the 2014 corresponding period, profitability improved but the result was still loss-making

Finnair Plc. Interim report 7 May 2015 at 09:00 EET

January–March 2014

• Revenue was on a par with the first quarter of 2014 at 540.4 million euros (543.3).
• The operational result was -28.4 million euros (-34.2).
• Operational EBITDAR was 19.2 million euros (17.4).
• Net cash flow from operating activities stood at 13.0 million euros (-20.5), and cash flow from investments totalled 142.8 million euros (233.6).
• Unit cost at constant currency excluding fuel (CASK excl. fuel) increased by 1.1% from the comparison period.
• Unit revenue at constant currency (RASK) decreased by 0.4% year-on-year.
• Earnings per share amounted to -0.09 cents (-0.24).
• Outlook: Finnair estimates that its 2015 unit costs excluding fuel at constant currency, calculated by applying the changed calculation method, will decrease from the 2014 level. 

As of 1 January 2015, Finnair has adjusted calculation methods of unit revenue (RASK) and unit cost (CASK) to better reflect the recent changes in the Group structure. RASK and CASK at constant currency exclude the impact of exchange rates. The changes are described in more detail in the table section of the interim report in note 16. Restatement of key ratios, and note 18.Calculation of key ratios. Comparison figures for 2014 have been restated accordingly.

CEO Pekka Vauramo:

Finnair’s revenue in the first quarter of 2015 was on a par with the corresponding period in 2014 at 540.4 million euros. Revenue was increased by higher passenger traffic revenue and negatively affected by lower revenue from Aurinkomatkat Suntours and cargo traffic, as well as the elimination of revenue from businesses sold after the comparison period. Our profitability improved substantially, although our operational result showed a loss of 28.4 million euros.

The factors contributing to the improved result in addition to the increased revenue included further progress in cost savings as well as lower fuel prices. Unfortunately, the substantial appreciation of the dollar against the euro diluted the benefit gained from the fall in the price of jet fuel and significantly increased other dollar-denominated costs. The operational result also reflects the weak financial performance of Aurinkomatkat Suntours.

During the reporting period and in the preceding years, Finnair result has been affected by strong changes in the yen and / or changes in the dollar exchange rate. Therefore we started to report unit revenue and unit cost excluding fuel at constant currency during the review period. This change will show the actual development of our Airline Business more clearly. At the same time we adjusted the calculation method to reflect the structural changes that have taken place within the Group – the transfer of Flybe Finland’s own risk flying to Finnair’s purchased traffic, for example. On this basis, unit revenue at constant currency fell by 0.4 per cent and unit cost excluding fuel at constant currency rose by 1.1 percent on the comparison period. The increase in unit cost excluding fuel at constant currency is largely explained by changes in our traffic structure.

We are moving in the right direction, despite the fact that our result is still not at the level we are striving to reach. Our long-haul fleet renewal, which will start this coming autumn, will significantly improve the cost-competitiveness and customer experience of our long-haul traffic. At the same time, we will continue to focus on increasing our revenue through, for example, ancillary revenue. The positive effect of increased ancillary sales was visible already in our first quarter figures, although its share is still small.  Finnair’s strategic targets are discussed in more detail in a separate stock exchange release that was issued this morning.

Outlook

Outlook published on 11 February 2015

The demand outlook for passenger and cargo traffic in Finnair’s main markets still involves uncertainty. Finnair estimates that, in 2015, its capacity measured in Available Seat Kilometres will grow by approximately 3 per cent and that its revenue will remain at the 2014 level. Finnair further estimates that, in 2015, its unit costs excluding fuel will decrease from the 2014 level.  

The lower price of jet fuel and the full impact from the completed savings program are supporting the financial performance of Finnair 2015.

Outlook on 7 May 2015:

The demand outlook for passenger and cargo traffic in Finnair’s main markets still involves uncertainty. Finnair estimates that, in 2015, its capacity measured in Available Seat Kilometres will grow by approximately 3 per cent and that its revenue will remain at the 2014 level. Finnair further estimates, as a change to its previous guidance, and when calculated with the same accounting principles as earlier, that its unit costs excluding fuel will increase from the 2014 level due to the structural changes in the company’s business and the strong appreciation of the US dollar. By applying the changed calculation method, that neutralizes the effect of these changes as defined in notes 16. and 18. to the interim financial statements, Finnair estimates that its 2015 unit costs excluding fuel at constant currency will decrease from the 2014 level. 

The lower price of jet fuel and the full impact from the completed savings program are supporting the financial performance of Finnair 2015.

According to its disclosure policy, Finnair will issue guidance on the expected development of its operational result in connection with the January-June interim report.  As a separate guidance Finnair estimates, that when calculated using the exchange rates effective at the end of the review period, the non-recurring items associated with the long haul fleet renewal in 2015 will have a substantial positive impact on Finnair’s operating result due to the strengthened US dollar. Finnair has previously estimated that the long haul fleet renewal would not have a significant effect on its operating result in 2014 and 2015. The non-recurring items related to the long haul fleet renewal react substantially to changes in the euro-dollar exchange rate.

Financial reporting

Finnair’s interim report for 1 January – 30 June 2015 will be published on Friday, 14 August 2015.

This is a summary of Finnair Group interim report 1 January – 31 March 2015. The Finnair Group interim report 1 January – 31 March 2015 is attached to this release in pdf format and is also available on the company’s website at www.finnairgroup.com.

FINNAIR PLC

Board of Directors

Briefings

Finnair will hold a press conference on 7 May 2015 at 11:00 a.m. and an analyst briefing at 12:30 p.m. at its office at Tietotie 9. An English-language telephone conference for analysts will begin at 2:30 p.m. Finnish time. The conference may be attended by dialling your local access number +358 800 770 306 and using the PIN code 255856#

For further information, please contact:

Acting Chief Financial Officer Mika Stirkkinen, tel. +358 9 818 4960, mika.stirkkinen@finnair.com

Financial Communications and Investor Relations Director Mari Reponen, tel. +358 9 818 4054, mari.reponen@finnair.com

IRO Kati Kaksonen, tel. +358 9 818 2780, kati.kaksonen@finnair.com,

FINNAIR PLC

Further information:
Finnair communications, 358 9 818 4020, comms(a)finnair.com

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