Founder & Managing Director, AIR Control Tower, AIR Control Tower

Neil Glynn

Founder & Managing Director, AIR Control Tower

AIR Control Tower

AIR Control Tower is an independent research and analysis platform. Its mission is to provide impactful insight and analysis across the global airline industry at a company and market level via detailed financial models to aid decision making for key stake holders at a time when risks have seldom, if ever, been higher and the global sector grapples with the imperative of funding de-carbonisation. Unique analysis forecasting global carrier-level earnings/cash flows, and restructuring/de-leveraging prospects, is designed to dynamically assess the health of the industry, predict surprises and identify potential requirements for third party support.

Insights on the global airline industry

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>We publish a detailed update on the APAC airline sector, featuring ANA, Cathay Pacific, JAL, Korean Air, Qantas and Singapore Airlines, addressing cargo yield normalisation, and unit cost inflation.</li>
<li>We see 24% upside to consensus EBITDAR for JAL in FY24 to March 2024, and 24% downside risk at Singapore Airlines based on our detailed analysis and quarterly earnings bridges.</li>
<li>We expect earnings at most carriers to decline in calendar 2024 versus 2023 as the combination of cargo yield normalisation, fuel price pressure, and further capacity restoration prompt margin declines.</li>
</ul>


We publish a detailed update on the APAC airline sector, featuring ANA, Cathay Pacific, JAL, Korean Air, Qantas and Singapore Airlines, addressing cargo yield normalisation, and unit cost inflation.
We see 24% upside to consensus EBITDAR for JAL in FY24 to March 2024, and 24% downside risk at Singapore Airlines based on our detailed analysis and quarterly earnings bridges.
We expect earnings at most carriers to decline in calendar 2024 versus 2023 as the combination of cargo yield normalisation, fuel price pressure, and further capacity restoration prompt margin declines.


APAC Airline Sector – Cost Inflation Management Differentials Crucial as Cargo Yields Normalise

Global Mobility/Transport, Equity Long-Short

Mohshin Aziz

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/korean-air-lines-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11048:1" rel="noopener">Korean Air Lines (003490 KS)</a> is cheap, against peers and its own history. The impending merger with Asiana Airline is a major overhang  </li>
<li>Business is good, with steady passenger loads and yields, and cargo showing decent signs of recovery. Lower fuel prices could surprise on the upside </li>
<li>Target Price KRW23,868 based on FY24 P/BV of 0.81x (1SD below mean). Too little upside for the level of uncertainty. PASS   </li>
</ul>



Korean Air Lines (003490 KS) is cheap, against peers and its own history. The impending merger with Asiana Airline is a major overhang  
Business is good, with steady passenger loads and yields, and cargo showing decent signs of recovery. Lower fuel prices could surprise on the upside 
Target Price KRW23,868 based on FY24 P/BV of 0.81x (1SD below mean). Too little upside for the level of uncertainty. PASS   


Korean Air (003490 KS): Cheap, but a Value Trap

Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport, Tracking Traffic

Daniel Hellberg

Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport

Tracking Traffic

Focusing on Asian logistics, transportation, and travel companies

<ul>
<li>Several US customs brokers have been suspended under new, tighter rules</li>
<li>The new rules could make 'de minimis' imports slightly more difficult</li>
<li>Whether it lists in London or NYC, additional rule changes could threaten SHEIN</li>
</ul>


Several US customs brokers have been suspended under new, tighter rules
The new rules could make 'de minimis' imports slightly more difficult
Whether it lists in London or NYC, additional rule changes could threaten SHEIN


SHEIN: Several US Customs Broker Suspensions Tied to Tighter 'de Minimis' Rules

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>In aggregate, traffic among the Big-3 Chinese airlines was up 67% YoY in February and +18% vs 2019. Incontestable proof that China has regained its air travel mojo. </li>
<li>Published March schedules show total implied capacity is 31% higher YoY and 9% higher than 2019 levels. This is driven by domestic travel, international remains depressed. </li>
<li>Driven by domestic travel, international remains depressed. POSITIVE for China Eastern and other North Asian carriers that provide the missing North America link. </li>
</ul>


In aggregate, traffic among the Big-3 Chinese airlines was up 67% YoY in February and +18% vs 2019. Incontestable proof that China has regained its air travel mojo. 
Published March schedules show total implied capacity is 31% higher YoY and 9% higher than 2019 levels. This is driven by domestic travel, international remains depressed. 
Driven by domestic travel, international remains depressed. POSITIVE for China Eastern and other North Asian carriers that provide the missing North America link. 


China BIG-3 Mainland Airlines Traffic 18% Higher than 2019!

<ul>
<li>China's outbound tourism recovery started much later than others in the region</li>
<li>In particular, Taiwan &amp; Korea began ramping outbound travel earlier (in Q222)</li>
<li>As destinations, Thailand &amp; Vietnam recovered early, but now lag HK's growth</li>
</ul>


China's outbound tourism recovery started much later than others in the region
In particular, Taiwan &amp; Korea began ramping outbound travel earlier (in Q222)
As destinations, Thailand &amp; Vietnam recovered early, but now lag HK's growth


China's Tourism Recovery Versus Other Major Tourist Sources in Asia: Delayed, Not Slower

South Korea

Hanjin KAL Corporation is a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in airline, hotel, and travel related services. Hanjin also invests in real estates.

Asiana Airlines, Inc. provides air cargo and passenger transportation services throughout South Korea and overseas.  The Company also offers airline catering and on-flight duty free shopping services and operates aircraft leasing business.

Jeju Air Co., Ltd. operates as an airline carrier in the aviation industry.   The Company provides air transportation services for passengers, baggage, and cargo within South Korea, Japan, and Southeastern Asian countries.

Tway Air Co., Ltd operates as an airline company. The Company offers flight, hotel, car booking services. Tway Air also provides reissuance of ticket, baggage, airport, and in-flight services. Tway Air serves customers worldwide.

Jin Air Co.,Ltd. provides air transportation services. The Company offers passenger and freight air transportation services, aviation equipment maintenance, aircraft leasing services, and other services. Jin Air also provides ticket and hotel booking and consulting services.

Air Busan Co., Ltd. operates as an airline company. The Company offers international and domestic flight, hotel, and car booking services. Air busan also provides reissuance of ticket, baggage, airport, and in flight services. Air busan offers services worldwide.

Hyundai Glovis Co., Ltd. provides domestic and international logistic services. The Company's services include domestic transportation, storage, packaging, vehicle logistic, and logistic consulting.  GLOVIS also runs automobile auction market for used vehicle.

HMM Co., Ltd. provides marine transportation services.  The Company commands different types of vessels including full container vessels, oil tankers, car carriers, LNG carriers, bulk carriers, and tramps.

Pan Ocean Co., Ltd. is a Korean shipping company that engages in marine transportation business. The Company provides bulk cargo carrier, pure car and truck carrier, container and tanker services.

CJ Logistics Corporation provides logistics services. The Company provides land transportation, maritime transportation, harbor unloading, cargo storage, international logistics processing, and other services. CJ Logistics also provides internet home shopping services. CJ Logistics serves customers worldwide.

Cathay Pacific Airways Limited operates scheduled airline services. The Company also provides related services, including airline catering, aircraft handling, and engineering.

Qantas Airways Limited provides transportation of passengers through two airlines including Qantas (full service carrier) and Jetstar (low cost carrier), operating international, domestic and regional services. The Company also includes Qantas Frequent Flyer and Qantas Freight which generates diverse revenue streams and adds value for customers and investors.

China Southern Airlines Company Limited provides commercial airline services throughout China, Southeast Asia and other parts of the world.  The Company also provides other airline related services including aircraft maintenance and air catering.

China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited, together with its subsidiaries, operates in the civil aviation industry. It offers passenger, cargo, mail delivery, ground, cargo handling, and other extended transportation services.

Japan Airlines Co. Ltd. provides air transportation services. The Company offers a variety of scheduled  flights and unscheduled flights throughout the world as well as offers air courier services. Japan Airlines also provides tickets, resort hotels, and travel agencies services.

American Airlines Group Inc. operates an airline that provides scheduled passenger, freight, and mail service throughout North America, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, and the Pacific.  The Company also provides connecting service throughout the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean.

China Airlines Limited provides scheduled international air transportation for passengers and cargo freight throughout cities in Europe, America, Asia, and Australia.

Alaska Air Group, Inc. is an airline holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides air service to passengers in multiple destinations. Alaska Air also provide freight and mail services, primarily to and within the state of Alaska and on the West Coast.

EVA Airways Corp. is an air carrier that transports passengers and cargos. The Company operates primarily in Taiwan and serves international route networks in North America, Asia, Europe, and Australasia.

easyJet plc, a low-cost passenger airline, conducts operations throughout the United Kingdom and mainland Europe.  The Company sells the majority of its tickets through its Web site.

Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd. operates air transportation services.  The Company's services include passenger and cargo transportation, aircraft maintenance, and air catering.  Korean Air Lines provides domestic and international airline services.

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Korean Air Lines (003490 KS)

APAC Airline Sector – Cost Inflation Management Differentials Crucial as Cargo Yields Normalise

Deep dive on earnings prospects of the top tier ex-China APAC full service carriers illustrates marked differences in inflation management, and...

Neil Glynn

Korean Air (003490 KS): Cheap, but a Value Trap

Korean Air Lines is undervalued versus peers and own history due to merger overhang. Too much at stake in the hands of the regulators, which we...

Mohshin Aziz

SHEIN: Several US Customs Broker Suspensions Tied to Tighter 'de Minimis' Rules

US Customs and Border Protection has tightened the rules under which SHEIN and Temu import cheap goods into the US. As a result, six US customs...

Tracking Traffic

China BIG-3 Mainland Airlines Traffic 18% Higher than 2019!

Chinese airlines see significant increase in traffic, with domestic travel driving growth while international remains depressed. China's air...

Mohshin Aziz

China's Tourism Recovery Versus Other Major Tourist Sources in Asia: Delayed, Not Slower

In this insight we compare China's progress toward restoring outbound tourism activity to the progress shown by other major tourist sources in the...

Tracking Traffic

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

APAC Airline Sector – Cost Inflation Management Differentials Crucial as Cargo Yields Normalise

Deep dive on earnings prospects of the top tier ex-China APAC full service carriers illustrates marked differences in inflation management, and...

Neil Glynn

Korean Air (003490 KS): Cheap, but a Value Trap

​Korean Air Lines is undervalued versus peers and own history due to merger overhang. Too much at stake in the hands of the regulators, which we...

Mohshin Aziz

SHEIN: Several US Customs Broker Suspensions Tied to Tighter 'de Minimis' Rules

US Customs and Border Protection has tightened the rules under which SHEIN and Temu import cheap goods into the US. As a result, six US customs...

Tracking Traffic

China BIG-3 Mainland Airlines Traffic 18% Higher than 2019!

​Chinese airlines see significant increase in traffic, with domestic travel driving growth while international remains depressed. China's air...

Mohshin Aziz

China's Tourism Recovery Versus Other Major Tourist Sources in Asia: Delayed, Not Slower

In this insight we compare China's progress toward restoring outbound tourism activity to the progress shown by other major tourist sources in the...

Tracking Traffic

Korean Air Lines is undervalued versus peers and own history due to merger overhang. Too much at stake in the hands of the regulators, which we...

Chinese airlines see significant increase in traffic, with domestic travel driving growth while international remains depressed. China's air...