Interim report of Copenhagen Airports A/S (CPH) for the three months to 31 March 2011
The Board of Directors today approved the interim report for the period 1 January – 31 March 2011.
Summary for the first three months of 2011
The total number of passengers at Copenhagen Airport grew by 4.3%, resulting in a solid performance in Q1 2011. Underlying EBITDA grew by 6.2% driven by an increase in the number of locally departing domestic and international passengers and higher spend per passenger in the shopping centre as a result of CPH’s new strategy of greater price differentiation through shops across a wider range of price segments.
Revenue increased 2.5% to DKK 721.3 million. Profit before tax, when excluding one-off items, declined to DKK 162.4 million, which was primarily due to the divestment of CPH’s stake in a number of Mexican airports (ITA), the termination of a long-term rental contract with SAS Cargo in 2010 and higher net financing costs. In addition, costs were kept at a stable level. When excluding the effect of the divestment of ITA, the termination of the SAS Cargo contract and one-off items, the rate of underlying EBITDA growth was 6.2%.
In 2010, seven new intercontinental routes were opened at Copenhagen Airport, and this growth is continuing in 2011. Emirates has announced the opening of a new year-round service to Dubai on 1 August, and Gulf Air recently announced that they will open a new route to Bahrain on 1 July.
With respect to traffic revenue, we are now seeing the full-year effect of the many new routes opened last year, and sales in the shopping centre have increased as a result of higher spend per passenger. This was achieved, not least, after the implementation of CPH’s new strategy for the shopping centre, where the range of shops has been expanded across different price segments.
New shops increase sales
In the first quarter of 2011, Hamleys, Molo and Lagkagehuset were examples of the chains to open new outlets at Copenhagen Airport. Together with JOE & THE JUICE, Tiger, Pieces and Pandora, all of which opened in 2010, these new shops contributed to an overall increase in spend per passenger in the shopping centre.
Revenue from parking increased by 6.8% as a result of a number of campaigns featuring reduced rates for online bookings which mainly attracted the leisure market.
Better loan terms
In March 2011, CPH cancelled undrawn bank facilities equivalent to DKK 924.9 million maturing in March 2012. Concurrently, CPH established four five-year committed bilateral bank facilities totalling DKK 2.0 billion. The new facilities have resulted in significantly improved terms for CPH and further address all identified short- to medium-term refinancing risk. Moreover, the new facilities ensure that CPH will be able to meet its commitments under the charges agreement to invest DKK 2,625 million in the period from 1 October 2009 to 31 March 2015, whilst providing sufficient financial resources to fund additional investments.
New CEO
In late March 2011, CPH announced the appointment of Thomas Woldbye, former Group CEO of Norfolkline, (formerly AP Moeller Maersk) as CEO of Copenhagen Airports A/S, starting on 1 May 2011. Thomas Woldbye held a range of senior management positions whilst at Norfolkline, where he led a number of strategic change projects and has substantial experience in infrastructure development.
Highlights of the results
- Passenger numbers at Copenhagen Airport increased by 4.3% during the first three months of 2011. The number of locally departing passengers increased by 6.0%, and transfer traffic decreased by 4.6%
- Revenue increased by 2.5% to DKK 721.3 million (2010: DKK 703.5 million) primarily due to the increase in passenger numbers
- EBITDA increased by 3.2% to DKK 342.0 million (2010: DKK 331.4 million). EBITDA totalled DKK 346.6 million excluding one-off items (2010: DKK 337.4 million)
- EBIT increased by 0.5% to DKK 219.4 million (2010: DKK 218.4 million). When excluding one-off items, EBIT amounted to DKK 224.0 million (2010: DKK 224.4 million)
- Net financial expenses increased by DKK 5.7 million primarily caused by an extraordinary amortisation of loan costs in connection with a cancellation of bank facilities in 2011
- Profit before tax decreased to DKK 157.8 million (2010: DKK 170.6 million). Profit before tax amounted to DKK 162.4 million when excluding one-off items (2010: DKK 176.6 million) primarily due to the divestment of ITA in October 2010
- Capital expenditure amounted to DKK 140.2 million in the first three months of 2011 (2010: DKK 108.9 million)
- In March 2011, CPH cancelled undrawn bank facilities equivalent to DKK 924.9 million maturing in March 2012. Concurrently, CPH established four five-year committed bilateral bank facilities totalling DKK 2.0 billion. The new facilities have resulted in significantly improved terms for CPH and further address all identified short- to medium-term refinancing risk. Moreover, the new facilities ensure that CPH will be able to meet its commitments under the charges agreement to invest DKK 2,625 million in the period from 1 October 2009 to 31 March 2015, whilst providing sufficient financial resources to fund additional investments
Outlook 2011
Based on the expected traffic programme for 2011, the total number of passengers is expected to continue to increase. Operating costs are expected to be higher, primarily due to the forecast growth in passenger numbers, cost inflation and depreciation as a result of the higher level of investments. Overall, profit before tax is expected to be on a level with 2010 when excluding one-off items.
Under the charges agreement, CPH is committed to investing an average of DKK 500 million annually supplemented by commercial investments for the benefit of airlines and passengers.
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