Swiss International Air Lines achieved a profit from operating activities (EBIT) of CHF 20 million for the third quarter of 2004…
Swiss International Air Lines achieved a profit from operating activities (EBIT) of CHF 20 million for the third quarter of 2004 – the three-month period which is traditionally the strongest of the year. The result compares to a loss from operating activities (before restructuring costs) of CHF 62 million for the prior-year period. SWISS posted a profit from operating activities of CHF 1 million for the first nine months of 2004 (or a loss of CHF 67 million excluding the one time effect from the settlement of a legal case in the second quarter). By comparison, SWISS recorded a loss (before restructuring costs) from operating activities of CHF 408 million for the first nine months of 2003. The dramatic increase in fuel prices added approximately CHF 64 million to SWISS`s operating expenses in the first nine months of 2004, and was thus a key factor for the delay in the SWISS turnaround process. Cash and cash equivalents amounted to CHF 361 million on September 30, 2004, without taking into account the additional funds from the new credit facility.
SWISS generated consolidated income from operating activities of CHF 927 million in the third quarter of 2004, compared to CHF 1 076 million for the same period last year. The company recorded a profit from operating activities (EBIT) of CHF 20 million for the period, which compares to a loss from operating activities (before restructuring costs) of CHF 62 million for the prior-year period. For the first nine months of 2004 SWISS posted consolidated income from operating activities of CHF 2 695 million (2003: CHF 3 174 million) and an EBIT of CHF 1 million. Without taking into account the income from the settlement of a legal case in the second quarter, the company would however have posted a loss from operating activities of CHF 67 million for the first nine months of the year. In the comparable period of 2003 the loss from operating activities was CHF 408 million (before restructuring costs), or CHF 613 million respectively (after restructuring costs).
Showing the first operating profit of CHF 20 million for the third quarter confirms our strategy. says Christoph Franz, President and Chief Executive Officer. SWISS still positions itself as a network carrier with strong intercontinental services centred on its Zurich hub. The result for the – traditionally strongest – third quarter is, despite the operating profit, below our expectations. In addition to unachieved savings in maintenance, record high fuel price levels burden with CHF 35 million our third-quarter results. SWISS is still in a position in which we must further significantly reduce our costs and consistently exploit all revenue earnings potential.
SWISS expects to incur additional costs of CHF 140 million as a result of the rise in fuel prices for the full year 2004. This cost overrun of over one third will offset a considerable part of the gains achieved to date through our restructuring activities. While fuel usually accounts for between 12% and 14% of total expenditure, fuel costs amount to approximately 17% of SWISS`s September operating expenses.
SWISS reduced its ordinary operating expenses by 22.9% in the first nine months of 2004. These costs amounted to CHF 2 762 million, compared to CHF 3 582 million for the previous year. The reduced income from operating activities as a result of the resizing of the route network was with 15.1% by far more moderate.
Net profit amounted to CHF 16 million for the third quarter of 2004, which compares to a consolidated loss of CHF 276 million for the same period last year. SWISS posted a consolidated loss of CHF 17 million for the first nine months of 2004, compared to a loss of CHF 609 million for the prior-year period.
Cash and cash equivalents of CHF 361 million
Cash and cash equivalents amounted to CHF 361 million on September 30, 2004, not taking into account the additional cash funds deriving from the recently closed credit facility. The balance sheet also showed fixed-term deposits of a further CHF 5 million. Cash and cash equivalents had stood at CHF 353 million (plus CHF 5 million in fixed-term deposits) at the end of June 2004; and SWISS had held cash and cash equivalents of CHF 503 million at the end of 2003.
Cash flow from operating activities (including CHF 68 million of cash-in during the third quarter, following the settlement of a prolonged legal case) totalled CHF 120 million for the first nine months of 2004. This compares to a negative cash flow of CHF 299 million for the prior-year period.
Cash flow from investing activities amounted to minus CHF 37 million for the first nine months of 2004. This included expenditure of approximately CHF 80 million on interior components, spare parts and consumable materials for the new Airbus A340. This amount was partially offset by a reduction in cash deposits connected to the return of surplus aircraft.
Net cash flow from financing activities totalled minus CHF 227 million for the first nine months of 2004. The cash outflow here comprised CHF 122 million of amortisation on aircraft leasing liabilities, CHF 112 million in loan repayments and CHF 43 million in ordinary interest payments on finance leases and other liabilities. The outflow was partially offset by a CHF 50 million increase in cash and cash equivalents through the utilisation of the credit facility with Barclays Bank on March 16, 2004.
New credit facility strengthens liquidity base
SWISS closed a definitive credit agreement with an international banking syndicate for a CHF 325 million secured credit facility at the end of October 2004. Of this, net additional liquidity of CHF 180 million will be directly available. The remaining CHF 145 million will initially serve as security on obligations currently held by SWISS. Once these obligations, which arise from certain aircraft lease agreements, have been met, the credit amount available to SWISS within the overall credit facility will be gradually increased, to CHF 290 million in June 2005 and to the full CHF 325 million in the course of 2006. The credit agreement has been concluded for a three-year period.
We are pleased to have concluded this definitive credit agreement with the banks involved, said Christoph Franz following the signature of the contract. With this enhanced liquidity base, we can finance our corporate turnaround and take the steps required to further strengthen our competitive position.
Shareholders` equity
Group shareholders` equity amounted to CHF 991 million on September 30, 2004. The balance sheet equity ratio stood at 29.0%, an improvement of 1.5 percentage points on its June 30 level.
On August 31, 2004 major shareholders representing 86% of outstanding shares prolonged the existing lock-up agreement (under which they undertake not to dispose of the shares they acquired in the capital increase effected upon SWISS`s foundation) until August 31, 2005.
Load factors
SWISS carried seven million passengers and some 223 000 tonnes of cargo during the first nine months of 2004. The company performed a total of 108 132 flights, which registered an average seat load factor of 75.2% – an improvement of 3.6 percentage points on the prior-year period. SWISS increased its load factor on its European network by 3.1 percentage points to 62.1%, while intercontinental services saw a 3.6-percentage-point increase to 80.9%.
While SWISS`s long-haul business developed positively, load factors on European services are not satisfactory. Seat load factors sustained substantial declines on many routes compared to their prior-year equivalents, especially in the third quarter. Overall, seat load factor on the European network suffered a 2.8-percentage-point decline to 65.7% for this period. The no-frills carriers are clearly exerting pressure in both capacity and pricing terms, especially in the larger main markets.
Compared to its prior-year equivalents, yield – average revenue per revenue passenger kilometre – was 5.2% down for European services, but saw a 2.9% increase on intercontinental routes.
The cargo business
SWISS`s cargo business continued to show favourable developments. Swiss WorldCargo carried approximately 223 000 tonnes of cargo in the first nine months of 2004, resulting in a cargo load factor (by volume) of 85.8%. This is a 2.2-percentage-point improvement compared to the prior-year period. Swiss WorldCargo continues to operate on a sustainable profit base offering sound prospects of medium- and long-term growth.
Management structure and personnel numbers
As of September 1 the new management structure (as announced together with the 2004 first half year results), which is more efficient and more market-oriented than before, was implemented. Most of the nominated executives have already assumed their tasks.
Total staff numbers (in full-time-equivalent terms) had declined to 6 964 by the end of September – 288 fewer than on June 30 and 1 108 (or 13.7%) fewer than at the end of 2003. Of these, 6 288 positions were with the parent company, 676 with various subsidiaries. The 6 964 full-time equivalent positions are occupied by 8 113 employees around the world.
Further measures required
A rocky road is how Christoph Franz describes the way ahead to the corporate turnaround. We will need to further reassess all our internal and external cost generators in order to be and remain competitive in the present structure, he continues. There will be no taboos here. Needless to say, we will also be making every effort to increase our revenues.
Various projects designed to help achieve the desired turnaround are currently being conducted under the Continuous Improvement SWISS or CIS programme. Thus, Executive Management will be meeting with union representatives to discuss substantial productivity improvements. Parallel to these efforts, negotiations are also being continued with the company`s suppliers.
Numerous actions in the sales area are expected to enhance SWISS`s market position, especially in Switzerland, and to raise revenues. The cost/benefit ratio of the SWISS European product is also being reviewed and regarding the regional traffic, the business performance of services from Geneva and Basel needs to be improved.
Further efforts are being made to better exploit the earnings potential at SWISS`s Zurich hub. A project to optimise the present network and hub structure has been launched to this end. In addition, specific action is planned in revenue management – i.e. in capacity management and pricing policy terms – to improve revenue results.
Looking further ahead, a harmonizing of the aircraft fleet should lead to cost reduction. Additional savings potential should also be identified in the administrative area; and, last but not least, Swiss WorldCargo should further increase its financial contributions to overall Group results.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
