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

Cathay Pacific Airways / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>We publish a deep dive on historical margin management at Cathay Pacific following Bloomberg reports that Air China is considering raising its 29.99% stake.</li>
<li>We see Cathay's consistent underperformance of the global industry as due to structural disadvantages competing against lower cost competitors without the benefit of attractive joint ventures or M&amp;A.</li>
<li>Our deep dive comparing margin generation to ten major global peers highlights weak pricing power without sufficient offset from staff cost/other cost efficiencies as the key problem.</li>
</ul>


We publish a deep dive on historical margin management at Cathay Pacific following Bloomberg reports that Air China is considering raising its 29.99% stake.
We see Cathay's consistent underperformance of the global industry as due to structural disadvantages competing against lower cost competitors without the benefit of attractive joint ventures or M&amp;A.
Our deep dive comparing margin generation to ten major global peers highlights weak pricing power without sufficient offset from staff cost/other cost efficiencies as the key problem.


Cathay Pacific - Reported Air China Interest Prompts Assessment of Structural Disadvantages

HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

<ul>
<li>There is room for FY23 result of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cathay-pacific-airways-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:243:1" rel="noopener">Cathay Pacific Airways (293 HK)</a> to beat market expectations on stronger traffic volume and better yield performance.  </li>
<li>Resumption of more capacity, from 70% of the pre-pandemic level at end-FY23, will drive FY24 earnings with ROE at 12-13%, putting it on an inexpensive 0.65x P/B. </li>
<li>Its associate <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/air-china-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8239:1" rel="noopener">Air China Ltd (H) (753 HK)</a> will also benefit from the release of pent-up demand in the domestic market and the recovery in international travel. </li>
</ul>


There is room for FY23 result of Cathay Pacific Airways (293 HK) to beat market expectations on stronger traffic volume and better yield performance.  
Resumption of more capacity, from 70% of the pre-pandemic level at end-FY23, will drive FY24 earnings with ROE at 12-13%, putting it on an inexpensive 0.65x P/B. 
Its associate Air China Ltd (H) (753 HK) will also benefit from the release of pent-up demand in the domestic market and the recovery in international travel. 


Cathay Pacific (293 HK): Taking off with Momentum

<ul>
<li>Cathay Pacific's strong end to 2023 has been well flagged but we think expectations are too low for 2024.</li>
<li>ANA, JAL and Korean Air have each seen unit pax revenue momentum accelerate into calendar 4Q23 which bodes well for 2024 prospects, particularly as manpower challenges slow capacity restoration.</li>
<li>Our 2024 EBITDAR is 5% ahead of consensus while we are 11% ahead at the net income level.</li>
</ul>


Cathay Pacific's strong end to 2023 has been well flagged but we think expectations are too low for 2024.
ANA, JAL and Korean Air have each seen unit pax revenue momentum accelerate into calendar 4Q23 which bodes well for 2024 prospects, particularly as manpower challenges slow capacity restoration.
Our 2024 EBITDAR is 5% ahead of consensus while we are 11% ahead at the net income level.


Cathay Pacific – Strong Pax Momentum Suggests 2024 Can Outperform Expectations

<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

<ul>
<li>The recent discrimination incident will likely affect traffic recovery pace of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cathay-pacific-airways-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:243:1" rel="noopener">Cathay Pacific Airways (293 HK)</a> negatively if it turns into a full-scale boycott by mainland passengers.</li>
<li>The scenario of CX becoming majority-owned by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/air-china-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8239:1" rel="noopener">Air China Ltd (H) (753 HK)</a> is getting increasingly possible. This may not be totally positive to CX given CA's weaker service ranking.</li>
<li>Consensus forecasts now look somewhat bullish following the incident, and the stock's 0.7x P/B does not stand out as attractive relative to history or ROE (7% in FY25F).</li>
</ul>


The recent discrimination incident will likely affect traffic recovery pace of Cathay Pacific Airways (293 HK) negatively if it turns into a full-scale boycott by mainland passengers.
The scenario of CX becoming majority-owned by Air China Ltd (H) (753 HK) is getting increasingly possible. This may not be totally positive to CX given CA's weaker service ranking.
Consensus forecasts now look somewhat bullish following the incident, and the stock's 0.7x P/B does not stand out as attractive relative to history or ROE (7% in FY25F).


Hong Kong

China Merchants Holdings International Company Limited, through its subsidiaries and associated companies, operates container and cargo terminals, port transportation, and airport cargo handling.  The Company also manufactures containers, paint, and trailers as well as operates toll road, shipping, property, and dealing securities businesses.

SITC International Holdings Company Ltd. offers marine shipping services.  The Company offers container liner shipping, freight forwarding, customs clearance, shipping agency, and ship brokerage services.  SITC operates in Asia.

Orient Overseas International Ltd, through its subsidiaries, owns and leases ships, operates terminals, and provides freight forwarding and container transportation services.  The Company also develops and invests in properties, leases equipment, and invests in securities.

Shenzhen International Holdings Limited operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides investment, construction, and operation of logistic infrastructure facilities, as well as offers value-added logistic services. Shenzhen International serves customers worldwide.

COSCO Shipping Ports Limited, through its subsidiaries, provides shipping container leasing services worldwide.  The Company also operates container terminals and provides container handling, storage, transportation and management services, as well as depot handling and stevedoring services.

Kerry Logistics Network Limited provides logistics services in Asia and internationally. The Company offers integrated logistics services, as well as leases warehousing space in Hong Kong and provides international freight forwarding services.

Pacific Basin Shipping Limited, through its subsidiaries, provides marine transportation services and logistical support to its customers through the commercial operation of a large, modern, and uniformly-sized fleet of shallow-draft Handysize dry bulk carriers.

COSCO SHIPPING International (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. provides shipping related services. The Company offers shipping, logistics, shipbuilding and ship repair services, ship trading agency services, marine insurance brokerage services, marine equipment and spare parts, coating products, and marine fuel and other related shipping products. COSCO International serves clients around the world.

Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure Ltd., through its subsidiaries, invests in, develops, operates, and manages toll highways, expressways, and bridges in China.

Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure (1052 HK)

Tianjin Port Development Holdings Limited operates container terminals in China.  The company provides container handling operations, stacking and warehousing services and non-containerized cargo services.

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.

Air China Limited provides passenger, cargo, and airline-related services in China.  The Company is primarily based in Beijing and a major hub for domestic and international air transportation.  Air China's airline-related services include aircraft maintenance, repair, overhaul service, ground services, and in-flight catering services.

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.

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.

Deutsche Lufthansa Aktiengesellschaft provides passenger and cargo air transportation services worldwide. The Company offers flight and connection programs in North America, Scandinavia, and Asia. Deutsche Lufthansa also provides travel agency, catering, and aircraft maintenance services.

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

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Cathay Pacific Airways (293 HK)

Cathay Pacific - Reported Air China Interest Prompts Assessment of Structural Disadvantages

Deep dive on the root causes of historical CX margin challenges by comparing pre-pandemic margin generation to 10 global airline peers

Neil Glynn

Cathay Pacific (293 HK): Taking off with Momentum

CX is poised to exceed market expectations with solid traffic and improved yield, leading to further growth in FY24. Air China is also expected to...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Cathay Pacific – Strong Pax Momentum Suggests 2024 Can Outperform Expectations

Detailed analysis of Cathay Pacific's 2024 earnings prospects including pax unit revenue momentum and cost control that mirrors its North Asian peers

Neil Glynn

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

Cathay Pacific (293 HK): Hard Landing

The recent iscrimination incident is likely to weigh on near-term traffic recovery while the increasingly possible scenario of CX becoming majority...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Cathay Pacific - Reported Air China Interest Prompts Assessment of Structural Disadvantages

Deep dive on the root causes of historical CX margin challenges by comparing pre-pandemic margin generation to 10 global airline peers

Neil Glynn

Cathay Pacific (293 HK): Taking off with Momentum

​CX is poised to exceed market expectations with solid traffic and improved yield, leading to further growth in FY24. Air China is also expected to...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Cathay Pacific – Strong Pax Momentum Suggests 2024 Can Outperform Expectations

Detailed analysis of Cathay Pacific's 2024 earnings prospects including pax unit revenue momentum and cost control that mirrors its North Asian peers

Neil Glynn

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

Cathay Pacific (293 HK): Hard Landing

The recent iscrimination incident is likely to weigh on near-term traffic recovery while the increasingly possible scenario of CX becoming majority...

Osbert Tang, CFA

CX is poised to exceed market expectations with solid traffic and improved yield, leading to further growth in FY24. Air China is also expected to...