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>Given events in the Middle East and associated risks for oil prices, we publish a quick guide to the 2024 earnings sensitivity to fuel price increases for the European airlines.</li>
<li>Rising fuel prices pose starkest risk to Lufthansa earnings, and it has just profit warned due to strike costs, which leave it needing a record 2H to meet guidance.</li>
<li>Ryanair is comfortably most insulated given margin and balance sheet strength.</li>
</ul>


Given events in the Middle East and associated risks for oil prices, we publish a quick guide to the 2024 earnings sensitivity to fuel price increases for the European airlines.
Rising fuel prices pose starkest risk to Lufthansa earnings, and it has just profit warned due to strike costs, which leave it needing a record 2H to meet guidance.
Ryanair is comfortably most insulated given margin and balance sheet strength.


European Airlines - Assessing Fuel Price Risk to Earnings

<ul>
<li>We forecast €2.6bn Adjusted EBIT in 2024, below management guidance of €2.7bn, given concerns about margin management as capacity increases 12% yoy.</li>
<li>Detailed analysis of the margin gaps and key drivers of gaps at each of Lufthansa's airlines illustrates remedial work required with new perspective.</li>
<li>Bringing each portfolio company towards the Group Adjusted EBIT margin target of &gt;8% would represent the CEO's finest achievement (apart from helping save the company through COVID).</li>
</ul>


We forecast €2.6bn Adjusted EBIT in 2024, below management guidance of €2.7bn, given concerns about margin management as capacity increases 12% yoy.
Detailed analysis of the margin gaps and key drivers of gaps at each of Lufthansa's airlines illustrates remedial work required with new perspective.
Bringing each portfolio company towards the Group Adjusted EBIT margin target of &gt;8% would represent the CEO's finest achievement (apart from helping save the company through COVID).


Lufthansa – Portfolio Carrier Catch up Requirements Analysed

Pan-Asia Index Flows & Special Situations, Quiddity Advisors

Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

Pan-Asia Index Flows & Special Situations

Quiddity Advisors

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Event-Driven

The European Benchmark Indices (BMI) of the STOXX Index family are reviewed on a quarterly basis in March, June, September and December. In this insight, we take a look at the potential adds and deletes for the next review which will take place in December 2021 for the STOXX Europe 600 Index and the EURO STOXX Index. The STOXX Europe 600 Index is a benchmark index with a fixed number of 600 components representing large, mid and small capitalization companies across 17 countries of the European region. The EURO STOXX Index is a subset of the STOXX Europe 600 Index and is also the parent index for one of the most widely tracked blue-chip indices in the Eurozone ("EURO STOXX 50"), which is rebalanced once a year in September. <div>More below the fold.</div>

The European Benchmark Indices (BMI) of the STOXX Index family are reviewed on a quarterly basis in March, June, September and December. In this insight, we take a look at the potential adds and deletes for the next review which will take place in December 2021 for the STOXX Europe 600 Index and the EURO STOXX Index. The STOXX Europe 600 Index is a benchmark index with a fixed number of 600 components representing large, mid and small capitalization companies across 17 countries of the European region. The EURO STOXX Index is a subset of the STOXX Europe 600 Index and is also the parent index for one of the most widely tracked blue-chip indices in the Eurozone ("EURO STOXX 50"), which is rebalanced once a year in September. More below the fold.

STOXX Europe Indices: Quiddity Leaderboard for December 2021 Rebalance

HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Cathay Pacific Airways / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>With more foreign countries being granted visa-free visits to China, <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> will benefit from more transfer traffic via Hong Kong.</li>
<li>Recovery is decent with passenger traffic rising 37.5% in 5M24. CX's capacity already returned to 80% of pre-pandemic in 2Q24, and this will reach 100% in 1Q25. </li>
<li>YTD, CX is still a laggard relative to many global airlines. Its P/B valuation is not stretched at 0.8x, given ROE of 11% over the next 3 years.  </li>
</ul>


With more foreign countries being granted visa-free visits to China, Cathay Pacific Airways (293 HK) will benefit from more transfer traffic via Hong Kong.
Recovery is decent with passenger traffic rising 37.5% in 5M24. CX's capacity already returned to 80% of pre-pandemic in 2Q24, and this will reach 100% in 1Q25. 
YTD, CX is still a laggard relative to many global airlines. Its P/B valuation is not stretched at 0.8x, given ROE of 11% over the next 3 years.  


Cathay Pacific (293 HK): Multiple Positive Developments

International Consolidated Airlines Group / Equity Bottom-Up

International Consolidated Airlines Group

<ul>
<li>We publish quarterly earnings bridges through 1Q-4Q24 for Air France-KLM, IAG and Lufthansa, which illustrate 1Q will be difficult yoy.</li>
<li>This renders forward commentary extremely important and summer pricing prospects are encouraging. Delta kicks off airline reporting season globally on 10 April and is likely to set a bullish tone</li>
<li>However the European low cost carriers easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air are seeing greater earnings momentum than the flag carriers given short haul fare strength.</li>
</ul>


We publish quarterly earnings bridges through 1Q-4Q24 for Air France-KLM, IAG and Lufthansa, which illustrate 1Q will be difficult yoy.
This renders forward commentary extremely important and summer pricing prospects are encouraging. Delta kicks off airline reporting season globally on 10 April and is likely to set a bullish tone
However the European low cost carriers easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air are seeing greater earnings momentum than the flag carriers given short haul fare strength.


European Airlines – Bridging Flag Carrier 1Q24 and 2024 Prospects

Germany

Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide offers airport services. The Company operates the Frankfurt-Main, the airport in Lima, Peru, and the international terminal in Antalya, Turkey. Fraport also provides services to domestic and international carriers including traffic, facility and terminal management, ground handling, and security.

Sixt SE offers rental and leasing services of cars and trucks such as Mercedes, Ford, VW/Audi, BMW, Opel, Nissan, Fiat, Renault, Saab, and Iveco to business and private customers in Europe.  The Company provides hotel and flight reservations on the Internet.  Sixt also sells used cars and conducts auctions.

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) provides services to the port in the European North Range.  The Company's container terminals, transport systems, and logistic services provide a network between overseas port and European hinterland.

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHFA GR)

GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft is a farm technology, mechanical equipment, process industry and refrigeration technology company. The Company supplies equipment for the food processing industry. GEA products have industrial, pharmaceutical and chemical applications.

Hochtief AG provides construction and construction related services worldwide. The Company finances, designs, builds, constructs and operates a wide variety of facilities through its five divisions; Airport, Development, Construction Services Americas, Construction Services Asia Pacific, and Construction Services Europe.

KION Group AG provides material handling solutions. The Company offers forklifts, warehouse equipments, and other industrial trucks.

Rational AG manufactures and markets food preparation appliances/processors and kitchen accessories for caterers and canteen kitchens.  The Company's products cook and reheat food.  Rational sells primarily to hotels, restaurants, canteens and caterers in Europe, the United States, and Asia.

Brenntag AG sells and distributes industrial and specialty chemicals.  The Company also develops and prepares specific chemical compounds and offers analysis services.  Brenntag's customers include oil and gas, paint, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and water treatment companies.

DMG Mori Aktiengesellschaft manufactures and markets machine tools. The Company's products include automatic lathes, milling, turning, laser, and ultrasonic machines.

Jungheinrich AG manufactures battery, diesel, and gas powered merchandise stackers and forklifts.  The products are used in warehouses, production facilities, and for point-of-sales retail storage.  It produces shelving systems, rents forklifts, sells used forklifts, offers financing, and manages forklift fleets.  The Company sells in Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

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.

ANA Holdings Inc provides a variety of air transportation-related services. The Company offers scheduled & unscheduled air passenger services and air courier services. ANA sells aircraft parts and provides travel arrangement & reservation services as well.

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.

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.

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Deutsche Lufthansa (LHA GR)

European Airlines - Assessing Fuel Price Risk to Earnings

Detailed historical and forward looking analysis on the European airline sector's ability to manage fuel price headwinds/volatility.

Neil Glynn

Lufthansa – Portfolio Carrier Catch up Requirements Analysed

Deep dive into the margin gaps at each portfolio company versus the Group target of Adjusted EBIT margin of >8%, to illustrate the remedial work...

Neil Glynn

STOXX Europe Indices: Quiddity Leaderboard for December 2021 Rebalance

A look at the potential adds and deletes for the December 2021 index review for the STOXX Europe 600 Index and the EURO STOXX Index.

Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

Cathay Pacific (293 HK): Multiple Positive Developments

As more countries gain visa-free access to China, CX will benefit from increased transfer traffic. CX's recovery is on track with passenger...

Osbert Tang, CFA

European Airlines – Bridging Flag Carrier 1Q24 and 2024 Prospects

Deep dive on quarterly earnings prospects for the European flag carriers through 2024 illustrates 1Q difficult and forward commentary crucial to...

Neil Glynn

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

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European Airlines - Assessing Fuel Price Risk to Earnings

Detailed historical and forward looking analysis on the European airline sector's ability to manage fuel price headwinds/volatility.

Neil Glynn

Lufthansa – Portfolio Carrier Catch up Requirements Analysed

Deep dive into the margin gaps at each portfolio company versus the Group target of Adjusted EBIT margin of >8%, to illustrate the remedial work...

Neil Glynn

STOXX Europe Indices: Quiddity Leaderboard for December 2021 Rebalance

A look at the potential adds and deletes for the December 2021 index review for the STOXX Europe 600 Index and the EURO STOXX Index.

Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

Cathay Pacific (293 HK): Multiple Positive Developments

​As more countries gain visa-free access to China, CX will benefit from increased transfer traffic. CX's recovery is on track with passenger...

Osbert Tang, CFA

European Airlines – Bridging Flag Carrier 1Q24 and 2024 Prospects

Deep dive on quarterly earnings prospects for the European flag carriers through 2024 illustrates 1Q difficult and forward commentary crucial to...

Neil Glynn

As more countries gain visa-free access to China, CX will benefit from increased transfer traffic. CX's recovery is on track with passenger...