(Baa2 Stable/BBB Pos)
Common themes is the limited capacity growth over summer (easyJet heading in +1%, sees market +2-3% higher) and as a consequence firm booking trends and in Ryanair's case attesting to strong yields. Despite US skewed exposure, asset light hotel franchisor IHG still screens RV value to us over easyJet 31s.
6m to March:
- Capacity +12% vs. unit revenues -6% to leave group airline revenue +7% at £3.1b
- Unit costs ex. fuel -4% and fuel -8% leaving total unit costs falling similar -5%. Nominal costs (net of capacity increases) +7%.
- Its holiday business continues to grow into a steady profit contributor: customers +27%, revenue +29% at £400m with costs matching the gain to net out £44m in EBIT (vs. £31m LY)
- £3.6b in cash vs. £3.3b in gross debt to leave net cash of £0.3b. Reminder capex will increase in the years ahead to slowly reverse this. Has prefunded the €500m June-25s.
- On the capex/fleet expansion, plans largely unch -> FY25-28: £1.2, £1.7, £2.3, £3.3b in gross capex. Currently has 355 in the fleet, 197 unencumbered with £4.6b in PPE.
Current trading:
- Q3 (to June) 80% booked (+0.5ppt y/y)
- Q4 (to Sept) 42% booked (+2.2ppt)
FY (to Sept) guidance:
- capacity +8% (H2 +6%)
- Unit costs ex. fuel to be flat, fuel -8% to leave total costs down low-single digits
- Fuel hedged 83% to Sept, and 59% in 6m to March '26 (at 750 and 717 respectively). Spot is -18%y/y at $663
- 2H holidays 77% sold, expecting FY customer growth of +25%
- Net expects to meet consensus expectations (consensus adj. EBIT £720m, +20% y/y)