Pieter Elbers - KLM President & CEO

• Solid traffic performance with passengers carried up 5.2% at 20.9 million and RPKs up 4.2% leading to an improved load factor by 0.7pt
• Confirmation of the improvement in unit revenue trend observed since the end of 2016 with passenger network unit revenue per available seat kilometer (RASK) ex-currency almost stable at -0.5%
• Unit cost reduction on track, down 1.7% at constant currency, fuel and pension expenses
• Operating income at -143 million euros, a progression of 28 million euros at constant currency
• Operating free cash flow of 329 million euros, up 133 million euros

OUTLOOK

• High level of uncertainty regarding the geopolitical environment and the fuel price
• Resilient trading start to 2017, confirmed for April
• Continued strong focus on unit cost with a maintained target reduction of at least 1.5% in 2017 at constant currency, fuel price and pension expenses
• Based on current forward prices and hedge portfolio, expecting a slight decrease in the dollar fuel bill in 2017
• Keeping strict capex discipline, targeting positive free cash flow before disposals in 2017

(*) Please find in the download section of this release the complete AirFrance KLM Q1 2017 results

1. Revenues of 5.55 billion euros, stable on a like-for-like basis, impacted by Easter calendar effect
2. Operating result of -445 million euros, an improvement of 87 million euros
3. EBITDA¹ of -50 million euros, an improvement of 66 million euros
4. Reported unit cost[1] down 4.3%, and 1.7% like-for-like

FULL YEAR 2014 OUTLOOK: OBJECTIVES CONFIRMED

1. Positive effect of Transform 2015
2. Operating environment remains tough
3. Measures underway to address headwinds from Caracas route and the slower than expected recovery in cargo demand

[1] See definition in appendix

First Quarter 2014 revenues stood at 5,554 million euros versus 5,681 million euros in 2013, down 2.2%, but stable on a constant currency and scope basis (like-for-like). Currencies had a negative 108 million euro impact on revenues.

Operating costs were reduced by 3.4% and by 2.0% on a constant currency basis. Ex-fuel, they decreased by 2.3%, and by 1.3% on a constant currency basis. Unit cost per EASK¹ (Equivalent Available Seat Kilometer) was reduced by 4.3%, and by 1.7% on a constant currency, fuel price and pension expense basis, against capacity measured in EASK up by 1.2%. The fuel bill amounted to 1,553 million euros, down 6.3%, and down 3.5% on a constant currency basis. Total employee costs including temporary staff were down 3.8% to 1,846 million euros, and by 3.6% on a constant currency basis. At constant pension expense and scope, they declined by 60 million euros, well on track towards the 120 million euro reduction targeted for the full year.

EBITDA amounted to -50 million euros,  an improvement of 66 million euros. The EBITDA margin stood at -1.0%, a 1.0 point improvement on 2013. The operating result stood at -445 million euros versus -532 million euros in 2013, an 87 million euro improvement. Currencies had a 15 million euro net negative impact on First Quarter operating result.

Net result, group share stood at -608 million euros against -641 million euros a year ago. It was impacted by 117 million euros of foreign exchange losses, in particular related to an adjustment in the value of the cash held by the Group in Venezuela, to take into account the currency conversion risk. On an adjusted basis[1], the net result, group share stood at -485 million euros against-652 million in First Quarter 2013, a 167 million euro improvement.

Earnings and diluted earnings per share both stood at -2.05 euros (-2.17 euros in 2013), and at -1.64 euros on an adjusted basis (-2.20 euros in 2013).

[1] See definition in appendix

Passenger business

First Quarter 2014 passenger revenues amounted to 4,365 million euros, down 1.9%, but stable on a constant currency basis. The passenger business was particularly impacted by the calendar effect of Easter, which fell in March last year. The operating result of the passenger business stood at -378 million euros, versus -447 million euros in Q1 2013, an improvement of 80 million euros on a constant currency basis.

Total passenger traffic rose by 2.1% while capacity rose by 1.3% leading to a 0.6 point improvement in load factor to 82.8%. Unit revenue per Available Seat Kilometer (RASK) fell by 2.5% and by 0.7% like-for-like. Unit costs (CASK) were reduced by 3.9% and by 2.4% like-for-like.

Long-haul traffic rose 2.2% for a 2.1% rise in capacity, leading to a stable load factor at 85.2%. Long-haul RASK was down 0.4% like-for-like.

Cargo Business

As planned in the framework of Transform 2015, medium-haul capacity was reduced by 2.2%. Traffic rose by 1.6%, leading to a 2.7 point improvement in load factor to 73.3%. Medium-haul RASK improved by 0.6% like-for-like.

First Quarter 2014 cargo revenues amounted to 676 million euros, down 3.4% and by 1.3% on a constant currency basis. Traffic experienced a slight upturn, rising by 1.9% for a 0.9% decline in capacity, leading to a 1.8 point increase in load factor to 64.8%. However, the yield remained weak, leading to a 1.0% decline in unit revenue per Available Ton Kilometer (RATK) on a constant currency basis (-3.0% on a reported basis).

Thanks to a reduction in unit cost (down 3.7% on a constant currency basis, and 5.4% on a reported basis), the operating result improved, from -50 million euros in Q1 2013 to -34 million euros. Nevertheless the recovery of cargo demand is taking longer than expected, and further scenarios are now under consideration to restructure the full freighter business in order to accelerate the turnaround.

Maintenance

First Quarter 2014 third party maintenance revenues amounted to 290 million euros, down 4.0% and by 1.9% on a constant currency basis, reflecting quarterly variations in the scheduling of engine shop visits. The operating result stood at 22 million euros, up 2 million euros year-on-year. The operating margin stood at 2.7% versus 2.5% a year earlier. In the quarter, the group recorded a 15% increase in its order book to 5.2 billion euros, including a major contract with Air China to cover the maintenance of GE90 engines.

Other business: Transavia

In First Quarter 2014 Transavia traffic rose 8.4% for capacity up 7.6%, leading to a 0.6 point increase in load factor to 86.3%. Unit revenue was down 4.3%, also affected by Easter timing. Transavia’s total revenue stood at 139 million euros, up 3.7%. The operating result was -58 million euros, down 7 million euros year-on-year.

Other business: Catering

First Quarter 2014 third party catering revenues amounted to 73 million euros, down 13.1% reflecting the deconsolidation of Air Chef. They were up 12.3% at constant scope.

Financial situation

The further improvement in EBITDA translated into an 84 million euro increase in cash flow before change in WCR and the cash out related to Voluntary Departure Plans.

In the First Quarter net investments before sale & lease-back transactions stood at 327 million euros, in line with the Transform 2015 full year capex budget. Operating free cash flow amounted to -80 million euros, versus a positive 40 million euros a year earlier, partly due to the fact that Q1 2013 benefited from a cash inflow of 77 million euros from sale and lease-back transactions.

Net debt amounted to 5.54 billion euros at 31 March 2014, versus 5.35 billion euros at 31 December 2013. The slight increase in net debt reflects foreign exchange losses partly relating to Venezuela. At 2.9x, the net debt / EBITDA ratio was stable compared to 31 December 2013.

Outlook
Delivery on the Transform 2015 plan is fully on track. However, the general operating environment remains tough. Under these conditions, the group remains committed to its objective of an EBITDA in the region of 2.5 billion euros in Full Year 2014, subject to the successful implementation of the measures aimed at compensating for the slower than expected recovery in cargo demand and the network adjustments linked to the situation on the Caracas route, and no reversal in other operating trends. The group will continue to reduce its net debt in line with its objective of 4.5 billion euros in 2015.

In a persistently tough economic environment, the group pursued its cost and debt reduction measures in this traditionally difficult quarter.

Activity
The passenger activity recorded a 0.8% rise in traffic for virtually stable capacity (+0.2%). The load factor gained 0.5 points to 82.1%. Unit revenue per available seat kilometre (RASK) rose by 1.2% (+1.3% ex-currency). Passenger revenues were up 1.4% to 4.49 billion euros. The operating result stood at -447 million euros (-515 million euros a year earlier).

The cargo activity, which continued to be affected by the economic slowdown and the situation of overcapacity in the industry, reduced capacity by 4.1%. With traffic down 6.9%, the load factor declined by 1.9 points to 63.0%. Unit revenue per available tonne kilometre (RATK) fell by 1.9%, and by 1.0% ex-currency. Cargo revenues amounted to 700 million euros (-5.9%). However, thanks to the Transform 2015 measures, the cargo loss was reduced to 50 million euros (70 million euros a year earlier).

Third party maintenance revenues stood at 302 million euros (+17.1%). The operating result amounted to 20 million euros (15 million euros at 31st March 2012). This improvement was mainly due to component maintenance. 

The other businesses generated revenues of 229 million euros, of which 134 million euros for the leisure business (+14.5%). The operating result stood at -53 million euros (-41 million euros at 31st March 2012).

Total revenues amounted to 5.72 billion euros, up 1.3% after a negative currency effect limited to 0.2%. Unit revenue measured in equivalent available seat kilometre (EASK) rose 0.5% (+0.7% at constant currency).

Reduction in unit costs
Unit costs measured in EASK were down 1.0% and 1.7% on a constant currency and fuel price basis for virtually stable production in EASK (+0.2%). 

Operating costs were stable (-0.1%) with the main changes as follows: 

• Despite a rise in the fuel price after hedging of 4%, the fuel bill was slightly down (-14 million euros to 1.67 billion euros) on the back of a 3% decline in volumes. 
• Employee costs fell 1.7% to 1.89 billion euros mainly reflecting the reduction in headcount (-41 million euros), a 13 million euro rise in non cash pension costs, a consolidation effect linked to the integration of Airlinair of 9 million euros and the French competitiveness tax credit (CICE, -10 million euros).
• Maintenance purchases increased by 12.0% to 309 million euros on the back of the increase in third party maintenance.

The operating result stood at -530 million euros, an improvement of 81 million euros on previous year. The adjusted operating result was -451 million euros (-535 million euros at 31st March 2012). 

Net interest charges amounted to 97 million euros (82 million euros at 31st March 2012). ‘Other financial income and costs’ stood at 51 million euros versus 276 million euros a year earlier. This decrease was mainly due to lower foreign exchange gains (down 50 million euros) and the change in the fair value of hedging instruments, which stood at 43 million euros at 31st March 2013 versus 220 million euros at 31st March 2012, reflecting the  decline in the oil price at the end of the period.

The net result, group share, stood at -630 million euros (-379 million euros at 31st March 2012). Earnings and diluted earnings per share stood at -2.13 euros (-1.28 euros at 31st March 2012).

Reduction in net debt
Investments amounted to 282 million euros with disposals at 108 million euros (416 million euros and 25 million euros respectively at 31st March 2012). Operating free cash-flow stood at 38 million euros in a traditionally negative quarter. At 31st March 2013, Air France-KLM had cash of 4.3 billion euros of which 547 million euros generated by the convertible bond issue. Elsewhere, the group has credit lines of 1.85 billion euros. 

As already indicated, the application of revised norm IAS19 on pension, and in particular the suppression of the corridor at 1st January 2013, led to a negative adjustment of shareholders’ funds of 1.33 billion euros at 31st December 2012. At 31st March 2013, shareholders’ funds reflected a positive trend in the return on plan assets and a revaluation of the discount rate amounting to 347 million euros, as well as various positive adjustments for 200 million euros. As a result, shareholders’ funds were stable (3.59 billion euros versus 3.64 billion euros at 31st December 2012). Net debt amounted to 5.90 billion euros (5.97 billion euros at 31st December 2012). The financial cover ratios were stable or slightly improved over the 12 months at 31st March 2013.

Outlook
In a difficult and uncertain environment, the group continues the implementation of Transform 2015 which remains on track.  It confirms its objectives for 2013, of a reduction in unit cost on a constant currency and fuel price basis, and a reduction of net debt.

Additional information
The accounts for the quarter January to March 2013 are not audited.
The results presentation will be available on www.aifranceklm-finance.com on May 3rd as of 07h15 CET.

Practical information

• A audio-web conference will be organized for press on Friday 4th May 2013 at 10:00 am (Paris/Amstelveen time), only in English.
• Any journalists who wish to listen in to the conference without asking questions are welcome

To connect

• dial  from France: 01 70 99 32 08 
• from others countries: + 44 (0)20 7162 00 25 password: AKH  
• To follow the presentation, go to: http://airfranceklm.viewontv.com/webcast/ 
• To listen to the recording, dial +33 (0)1 70 99 35 29 (code: 895689)

>> On the righthandside you wil find the complete overview (PDF) <<