Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Douglas Research Advisory

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Nearly four years have passed since Korean Air first proposed a merger with Asiana Airlines in November 2020. Despite repeated delays, it appears that this merger could finally occur.</li>
<li>There is now a higher probability of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines receiving the final merger approval from the United States Department of Justice. </li>
<li>Combined with attractive valuations, better balance sheet, and improved profitability from the merged entity, we believe that Korean Air shares could continue to outperform KOSPI in the next 12 months. </li>
</ul>


Nearly four years have passed since Korean Air first proposed a merger with Asiana Airlines in November 2020. Despite repeated delays, it appears that this merger could finally occur.
There is now a higher probability of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines receiving the final merger approval from the United States Department of Justice. 
Combined with attractive valuations, better balance sheet, and improved profitability from the merged entity, we believe that Korean Air shares could continue to outperform KOSPI in the next 12 months. 


Korean Air Spearheading the Korean Airline Industry Consolidation

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

<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>Korean Air has reported a 4Q23 net loss of KRW235bn, which is down from a profit of KRW354bn in 4Q22. We had expected KRW264bn profit but higher opex/financing costs weighed</li>
<li>We highlight 4Q23 saw KRW409bn in other financial expenses, which compared to an income of KRW322bn in 9M23. Without this, KAL would have generated profit of around KRW200bn in 4Q23</li>
<li>Pre-Pandemic, 4Q saw a near-breakeven performance (KRW17-38bn losses in 4Q18-4Q19) so a KRW184bn profit in 4Q23 still remains strong relative to pre-pandemic levels</li>
</ul>


Korean Air has reported a 4Q23 net loss of KRW235bn, which is down from a profit of KRW354bn in 4Q22. We had expected KRW264bn profit but higher opex/financing costs weighed
We highlight 4Q23 saw KRW409bn in other financial expenses, which compared to an income of KRW322bn in 9M23. Without this, KAL would have generated profit of around KRW200bn in 4Q23
Pre-Pandemic, 4Q saw a near-breakeven performance (KRW17-38bn losses in 4Q18-4Q19) so a KRW184bn profit in 4Q23 still remains strong relative to pre-pandemic levels


Korean Air - 4Q Loss Driven by Exceptional Financial Costs; Underlying Picture Healthier

<ul>
<li>The US Department of Transport (DOT) has ordered the termination of Delta and Aeromexico's joint venture from October 2024 due to access restrictions in Mexico City.</li>
<li>This follows the (unrelated) US blocking of JetBlue's planned acquisition of Spirit Airlines on the grounds that it would negatively impact consumers.</li>
<li>Each case is different, but the US has previously voiced concerns regarding Korean Air's planned merger with Asiana, and the bar continues to rise for M&amp;A/JV approval globally.</li>
</ul>


The US Department of Transport (DOT) has ordered the termination of Delta and Aeromexico's joint venture from October 2024 due to access restrictions in Mexico City.
This follows the (unrelated) US blocking of JetBlue's planned acquisition of Spirit Airlines on the grounds that it would negatively impact consumers.
Each case is different, but the US has previously voiced concerns regarding Korean Air's planned merger with Asiana, and the bar continues to rise for M&amp;A/JV approval globally.


Korean Air - Another US Example Of A Ruling Against Consolidation Raises Asiana Merger Questions

<ul>
<li>The US Supreme Court has just blocked JetBlue's planned acquisition of Spirit Airlines, ruling on the side of the US DOJ, which had sued to block the proposed deal.</li>
<li>Reuters has reported that the European Commission should approve Korean Air/Asiana imminently following analysis of concessions provided. However, the US and Japan also need to approve the deal.</li>
<li>In "Korean Air - Plan B should Asiana merger fail to gain approval" on 26 October 2023, we highlighted Korean Air is well positioned to continue as a standalone entity.</li>
</ul>


The US Supreme Court has just blocked JetBlue's planned acquisition of Spirit Airlines, ruling on the side of the US DOJ, which had sued to block the proposed deal.
Reuters has reported that the European Commission should approve Korean Air/Asiana imminently following analysis of concessions provided. However, the US and Japan also need to approve the deal.
In "Korean Air - Plan B should Asiana merger fail to gain approval" on 26 October 2023, we highlighted Korean Air is well positioned to continue as a standalone entity.


Korean Air - US Blocking of JetBlue/Spirit Continues Trend of M&A Opposition

South Korea

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)

Korean Air Spearheading the Korean Airline Industry Consolidation

Nearly four years have passed since Korean Air first proposed a merger with Asiana Airlines in November 2020. Despite repeated delays, it appears...

Douglas Kim

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 - 4Q Loss Driven by Exceptional Financial Costs; Underlying Picture Healthier

Korean Air results looked disappointing at the headline level, with a 4Q23 loss. However, we point out that excluding an exceptional 4Q23 other...

Neil Glynn

Korean Air - Another US Example Of A Ruling Against Consolidation Raises Asiana Merger Questions

New perspective on the US's approach to considering M&A/joint ventures which is relevant to consider the US's ultimate verdict on Korean Air/Asiana...

Neil Glynn

Korean Air - US Blocking of JetBlue/Spirit Continues Trend of M&A Opposition

Relevant global insight important for Korean Air/Asiana regulatory approval prospects - the US blocking JetBlue/Spirit raises the question as to...

Neil Glynn

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