In ongoing difficult market conditions, SN Brussels Airlines has posted another positive end year result…
In ongoing difficult market conditions, SN Brussels Airlines has posted another positive end year result. SN has concluded 2004 with a net profit of 1,04 million euro compared to a net result of 0,6 million euro in 2003. “Given the dramatic increase in fuel prices and the highly competitive market environment these results are encouraging”, says Chief Executive Officer Peter Davies.
Highlights of 2004
- SN Brussels Airlines has generated 656 million euro revenue from all its activities. This is an increase of 12, 2 pct compared to 2003.
- SN concludes 2004 with a net profit of 1, 04 million euro.
- Cash flow evolution was positive.
- Direct employment was provided for 2.152 people.
- 3,58 million SN passengers were welcomed.
The network expanded with five new own operated services (Moscow, St Petersburg, Istanbul, Porto and Naples) and four new codeshare destinations. The expansion took place without adding extra aircraft to the fleet.
Commercial and Network results
SN Brussels Airlines has welcomed 3,56 million clients on its own flights and on the flights operated by its partners. The load factor increased from 57,2 percent in 2003 to 61,2 percent in 2004.
Significant efforts were made in order to develop SN ‘s distribution channel strategy to the new market reality. A completely revamped website ‘flySN.com’ and a new transparent booking engine were launched in the summer of 2004 both resulting in an immediate e-sales increase. By the end of the year, SN introduced e-ticketing on all its European SN flights.
The traditional weaker business travel results of the summer season were partly compensated by an intensive charter flight activity.
The fleet of SN Brussels Airlines expanded in October with 3 Airbus 330-300 aircraft which are exclusively flying on the African routes. These long haul aircraft were operated before by Birdy on behalf of SN Brussels Airlines on the same routes. 40 pilots were hired for the A 330 operation.
Europe
On the European network 2,87 million passengers were welcomed. This is an increase of 9 percent compared to 2003.
The European flight route portfolio grew significantly thanks to new SN operated routes to Moscow, St Petersburg, Istanbul, Porto and Naples. The code share policy of the Network Department was continued throughout 2004. Thanks to this strategy, SN was able to increase its destinations portfolio whilst limiting the risk of overcapacity on certain routes. Agreements of this kind with other airlines allowed SN in 2004 to offer its clients new partner services to Malta, Oviedo, Sofia and Bucharest. By the end of the year SN Brussels Airlines offered direct services to 57 destinations in Continental Europe.
Africa
The Africa network achieved excellent results despite the unstable situation in some countries. More than 357.499 clients (plus 7,9 pct.) were welcomed on board the 3 Airbus 330-300 aircraft SN operates on the routes between Brussels and 14 African destinations.
Our cargo activities also contributed highly to our positive result and to our African routes profitability. 17.000 tons of cargo & mail were shipped to/from Africa.
US
Codeshare services started on the new Brussels – New York JFK route operated by American Airlines. Thanks to this new daily flight SN’s US offer grew with several destinations beyond New York.
New destinations Summer 2005
Starting 2nd of June, SN Brussels Airlines will connect the European Capital daily with Glasgow in Scotland.
Also 3 popular Summer Holiday destinations will be introduced to the network. During July and August SN will operate new direct services to the European Capital of Culture Cork (Ireland), Jersey (Channel Islands) and Bari (Southern Italy). All new flights have good onward connections to other EU flight destinations operated by SN Brussels Airlines.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
