Net profit through June, which includes extraordinary financial items, stands at €607.7 million, up from 277.5 million euros in the same period of 2022 and 559 million euros in 2019.
Aena obtained a gross operating profit (EBITDA(1)) of 1.1703 billion euros between January and June 2023, which represents growth of 49.5% compared to the same period of 2022 (783 million euros), although it remains slightly lower than in 2019 (1.1893 billion euros).
Net profit between January and June, which includes extraordinary financial items**, was 607.7 million euros , compared to 559 million euros obtained in the first half of 2019, prior to the pandemic, and to 277.5 million euros in the same period of 2022.(*)
The total passengers of the Aena Group (Spain, Luton and the airports in Northeast Brazil) grew to 144.1 million, 22.8% more than in the same period of 2022, and this represents a recovery of 100.5% of pre-pandemic traffic (2019). At Aena airports in Spain, traffic volume reached 129.4 million passengers in the first six months of the year, which is an increase of 23.4%
compared to the same period last year and equivalent to 101.2% of traffic in the first six months of 2019.
Total consolidated revenue for the first half of 2023 rose to 2.3332 billion euros, which is an increase of 24.1% compared to the first half of the previous year.* Aeronautical revenue was 1.2771 billion euros, 19.4% higher than in 2022. Commercial revenue,* supported by growth in sales from commercial activities surpassing 2019 levels, reached 715.3 million euros, up 29%* compared to the first half of 2022.
Commercial sales exceed pre-pandemic levels
The good performance of commercial activity in the first six months of the year is notable, as pre-pandemic activity levels significantly improved. As a result, total sales from commercial activities surpassed 2019 levels by 13.5%, while revenue from fixed and variable rents invoiced and collected in the period surpassed 2019 figures by 19%.
The regulated business, however, has partially slowed because the strong cost increases in the provision of airport services since the approval of DORA 2 are not recognised in the airport charges.
The consolidated accounted net financial debt(2) of the Aena Group was 7.0718 billion euros, compared to 6.2429 billion euros in 2022, reducing the ratio of net financial debt to EBITDA for the consolidated group to 2.87 times, compared to 3.00 times at 31 December 2022.
There was strong cash generation. Net cash generated by operating activities reached 1.0485 billion euros compared to 783 million euros in the first half of 2022.
The investment paid between January and June 2023 amounted to 1.0439 billion euros, representing an increase of 660.2 million euros compared to the first six months of 2022. These investments focused mainly on improving the facilities and operational security of airports and include 611.5 million euros of mandatory payments from the concession of the Block of Eleven Airports in Brazil.
For its part, the OPEX of the Aena Group, which includes supplies, staff costs and other operating expenses, amounts to 1.1403 billion euros in the first half of 2023, compared to 1.0552 billion euros corresponding to the same period of 2022. The evolution of these expenses reflects increased activity and the operation of the terminals and open airport spaces of the Aena Group.
Regarding other operating expenses, the reduction in electricity expenditure across the Spanish network is notable; it was 63.7 million euros (50.9% less than in the first half of 2022). Excluding the impact of electricity, the year-on-year increase in other operating expenses for the Spanish airport network was 64.6 million euros, which is 13.2% higher than from January to June 2022. It is worth reviewing that the company implemented a change in its accounting policy with regard to the treatment of commercial revenue to comply with the new accounting standard issued on 20 October 2022 by the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) on lessor forgiveness of lease payments. Consequently, for comparative purposes, the company re-presented the figures at 30 June 2022 according to the current accounting policy on 30 June 2023.
Proposed charges for 2024
At its meeting held yesterday, Aena’s Board of Directors approved the proposed charges applicable as of 1 March 2024, setting the adjusted annual maximum revenue per passenger (IMAAJ) for 2024 at 10.35 euros per passenger, which is a change of 4.09% compared to the 2023 IMAAJ (9.95 euros per passenger).
Notably, this percentage includes the calculation of the 2022 P index, which is set at 3.5%, arising from the increase in costs for the provision of airport services. The 2022 CPI recorded an average value in Spain of 8.4%. The Spanish National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) recognised the value of the aforementioned P index in its resolution on 8 June 2023.
Aena’s airport charges are the considerations that it is entitled to receive for the provision of basic airport services. The maximum price per passenger (IMAAJ) is the result of updating the charges with the P index, as well as other adjustments included in Act 18/2014.
* The figures for the first half of 2022 and, therefore, the changes compared to that period are re-presented with respect to those published on 27 July 2022. For more information, see both the 2022 annual accounts and the Consolidated Interim Management Report for the first half of 2023.
(1) Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation. This is calculated as operating earnings plus
depreciation and amortisation.
(2) This is calculated as the total amount of ‘Financial Debt’ (Non-Current Financial Debt + Current Financial Debt) less
‘Cash and Cash Equivalents’.
The numerical reconciliation of these alternative performance measures has been included in the corresponding section of the Consolidated Interim Management Report for the first half of 2023.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
