Q3 2023 - Air France-KLM - Press release

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AIR FRANCE - KLM
AIR FRANCE - KLM

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THIRD QUARTER 2023

October 27, 2023

Solid performance translating in a record operating profit

Operating margin at 15.5% driven by strong summer demand

  • Group capacity at 94% compared to 2019 with load factor at 90%

  • Group revenues at €8.7bn, up 7% compared to last year

  • Operating result at €1.3bn with an operating margin at 15.5%

  • Adjusted operating free cash flow at -€0.4bn driven by seasonal reversal of working capital and cash at hand at €10.2bn (including RCF)

  • Net debt down by €1.3bn, compared to end of 2022 leading to a Net debt/EBITDA ratio of 1.1x

  • Net income at €0.9bn, up €0.5bn compared to last year and further supporting equity restoration

  • Post-quarter events:

    • Air France-KLM to take up to a maximum 19.9% non-controlling stake in the share capital of the reorganized SAS AB, subject to approvals and conditions.

    • Air France-KLM signed a definitive agreement for a quasi-equity financing for €1.3 billion, with a potential upsize €1.5 billion

Commenting on the results, Mr. Benjamin Smith, Group CEO, said:

“Air France-KLM delivered a solid quarter, marked by remarkable results. This performance was driven by strong summer demand. I would like to thank all our teams for their unfailing commitment during the season. Throughout the quarter, we also made significant progress on our sustainable strategic roadmap. Our landmark order for 50 Airbus A350 aircraft will significantly accelerate the renewal of our long-haul fleet, with more fuel-efficient, cost-effective and quieter aircraft. This new order represents a multi-billion investment to our sustainability roadmap, coming on top of previous orders for new generation widebody and narrowbody aircraft, and is complementary to our Sustainable Aviation Fuel commitments. It confirms our ambition to reach 64% of next generation aircraft by 2028 and is another major step towards our target of reducing our CO2 emissions per passenger kilometer by 30% by 2030. We have also continued our efforts to further restore our equity, while leveraging the value of the Group's assets, as illustrated by a non-dilutive financing agreement of our Flying Blue Loyalty program. Finally, we initiated a process to acquire up to 19.9% in SAS, with an option to increase our share after two years. By investing in SAS, we intend to enhance our offer and connectivity in the Nordics.”

Strong summer demand resulting in a record operating profit in Q3

 

Current quarter

Year to date

 

2023

change

change
constant currency

2023

change

change
constant currency

Revenues (€m)

8,660

+6.8%

+8.9%

22,612

+17.4%

+18.2        %

EBITDA (€m)

1,993

316

294

3,607

778

782

Operating result (€m)

1,342

318

295

1,769

709

714

Operating margin (%)

15.5        %

+2.9pt

+2.3pt

7.8%

+2.3pt

+2.3pt

Net income – Group part (€m)

931

471

 

1,190

958

 

Adj. operating free cash flow (€m)

(434)

(724)

 

806

(1,647)

 


 

30 Sep 2023

31 Dec 2022

Net Debt

5,002

6,337

EBITDA trailing 12 months

4,393

3,615

Net Debt/EBITDA ratio

1.1x

1.8x

In the third quarter, revenues were up +8.9% at a constant currency compared to Q3 2022, driven by a strong summer demand. The operating result rose by €318 million supported by a combination of an increase in capacity (+6%), a higher passenger load factor (+1.3 pt) and a continued high passenger yield (+1.8%). This strong performance enabled the Group to offset the decrease of Cargo revenues and the inflation. As a consequence, the operating margin stood at 15.5%, a significant improvement of +2.9pt compared to last year.