INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE

RNS Number : 2390Y
Air China Ld
05 September 2022
 

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited take no responsibility for the contents of this announcement, make no representation as to its accuracy or completeness and expressly disclaim any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from or in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this announcement.

 

AIR CHINA LIMITED

(a joint stock limited company incorporated in the People's Republic of China with limited liability)

(Stock Code: 00753)

 

 

 

INTERIM RESULTS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2022

 

The Board of the Company has approved, among others, the unaudited interim results of the Group for the six months ended 30 June 2022 at a meeting of the Board held on 30 August 2022.

 

  INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2022

 

The Board presents the unaudited interim results of the Group for the six months ended 30 June 2022 as follows:


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2022

 



Six months ended 30 June


NOTES

2022

2021



RMB'000

RMB'000



(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)





Revenue

3A

23,952,653

37,663,803

Other income and gains

4

1,447,385

2,289,141



 

 



25,400,038

39,952,944



 

 

Operating expenses




Jet fuel costs


(10,348,319)

(9,914,804)

Employee compensation costs


(11,444,006)

(11,301,581)

Depreciation and amortisation


(10,458,318)

(10,331,621)

Take-off, landing and depot charges


(3,221,432)

(5,020,224)

Aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul costs


(2,370,572)

(3,586,761)

Air catering charges


(415,683)

(912,392)

Aircraft and engine lease expenses


(49,377)

(214,147)

Other lease expenses


(187,258)

(341,102)

Other flight operation expenses


(2,477,129)

(2,753,906)

Selling and marketing expenses


(908,624)

(1,140,228)

General and administrative expenses


(507,940)

(469,485)

Net impairment loss reversed/(recognised) under expected credit loss model


 

15,906

 

(9,305)



 

 



(42,372,752)

(45,995,556)



 

 

Loss from operations

5

(16,972,714)

(6,042,612)

Finance income


92,357

41,215

Finance costs

6

(3,141,435)

(2,658,298)

Share of results of associates


(1,041,350)

(1,418,976)

Share of results of joint ventures


226,892

110,282

Exchange (loss)/gain, net


(2,239,547)

563,440



 

 

Loss before taxation


(23,075,797)

(9,404,949)

Income tax credit

7

861,652

1,734,284



 

 

Loss for the period


(22,214,145)

(7,670,665)



 

 

Attributable to:




- Equity shareholders of the Company


(19,436,846)

(6,781,429)

- Non-controlling interests


(2,777,299)

(889,236)



 

 



 (22,214,145)

  (7,670,665)



 

 





Loss per share




- Basic and diluted

9

RMB(141.51) cents

  RMB(49.37) cents



 

 






CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2022

 


Six months ended 30 June


2022

2021


RMB'000

RMB'000


(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)




Loss for the period

(22,214,145)

(7,670,665)


 

 

Other comprehensive income/(expense) for the period



Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:



- Fair value gain/(loss) on investments in equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income

 

37,808

 

(18,915)

- Income tax (charge)/credit relating to items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss

 

(9,452)

 

4,729

- Remeasurement of net defined benefit liability

(347)

(2,125)

- Share of other comprehensive expense of associates and joint ventures

 

(10)

 

(3,858)


 

 

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:



- Fair value loss on investments in debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income

 

(5,132)

 

(5,169)

- Impairment loss recognised on investments in debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income

 

(1,573)

 

(15,277)

- Income tax relating to items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

 

1,676

 

5,111

- Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures

 

261,569

 

878,718

- Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

699,473

(194,718)


 

 

Other comprehensive income for the period (net of tax)

984,012

648,496


 

 

Total comprehensive expense for the period

  (21,230,133 )

  (7,022,169 )







Attributable to:



- Equity shareholders of the Company

(18,479,509)

(6,106,812)

- Non-controlling interests

(2,750,624)

(915,357)


 

 


  (21,230,133 )

  (7,022,169 )





CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AT 30 JUNE 2022

 



At

At



30 June

31 December


NOTE

2022

2021



RMB'000

RMB'000



(Unaudited)

(Audited)





Non-current assets




Property, plant and equipment


96,657,145

98,804,707

Right-of-use assets


123,882,684

121,610,254

Investment properties


567,567

571,798

Intangible assets


35,399

35,430

Goodwill


1,099,975

1,099,975

Interests in associates


10,219,239

10,390,940

Interests in joint ventures


1,850,074

1,830,070

Advance payments for aircraft and flight equipment


19,511,791

21,510,230

Deposits for aircraft under leases


581,677

566,684

Equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income


 

214,131

 

176,323

Debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income


 

1,361,198

 

1,373,634

Deferred tax assets


10,628,965

9,757,097

Other non-current assets


236,384

257,320


 

 



266,846,229

267,984,462


 

 

Current assets




Inventories


2,643,710

2,050,282

Accounts receivable

10

1,638,492

2,991,037

Bills receivable


3,611

3,591

Prepayments, deposits and other receivables


4,404,522

3,631,521

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss


3,221

4,157

Restricted bank deposits


863,525

774,951

Cash and cash equivalents


18,555,849

15,934,713

Assets held for sale


93,216

333,884

Other current assets


4,243,419

4,672,592


 

 



32,449,565

30,396,728


 

 

Total assets


  299,295,794

  298,381,190








At

At



30 June

31 December


NOTE

2022

2021



RMB'000

RMB'000



(Unaudited)

(Audited)





Current liabilities




Air traffic liabilities


(2,623,925)

(2,116,028)

Accounts payable

11

(13,045,434)

(12,590,775)

Bills payable


(445,858)

(199,276)

Dividends payable


(98,000)

(98,000)

Other payables and accruals


(17,126,046)

(19,593,940)

Current taxation


(12,258)

(4,572)

Lease liabilities


(15,761,289)

(14,534,309)

Interest-bearing borrowings


(36,946,817)

(40,201,875)

Provision for return condition checks


(540,318)

(801,235)

Contract liabilities


(1,433,805)

(1,479,717)


 

 



(88,033,750)

(91,619,727)


 

 

Net current liabilities


(55,584,185)

(61,222,999)


 

 

Total assets less current liabilities


211,262,044

206,761,463





Non-current liabilities




Lease liabilities


(77,341,730)

(76,347,051)

Interest-bearing borrowings


(77,735,203)

(53,120,047)

Provision for return condition checks


(8,867,021)

(8,583,611)

Provision for early retirement benefit obligations


(902)

(1,006)

Long-term payables


(43,508)

(15,646)

Contract liabilities


(1,612,068)

(1,772,209)

Defined benefit obligations


(210,008)

(218,336)

Deferred income


(524,577)

(544,383)

Deferred tax liabilities


(326,049)

(328,063)


 

 



(166,661,066)

(140,930,352)


 

 

NET ASSETS


  44,600,978

  65,831,111









CAPITAL AND RESERVES




Issued capital


14,524,815

14,524,815

Treasury shares


(3,047,564)

(3,047,564)

Reserves


31,411,797

49,891,306


 

 

Total equity attributable to equity shareholders of the Company


 

42,889,048

 

61,368,557

Non-controlling interests


1,711,930

4,462,554


 

 

TOTAL EQUITY


  44,600,978

  65,831,111






NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2022

 

1.  BASIS OF PREPARATION

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2022 have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 "Interim Financial Reporting" ("IAS 34") issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (the "IASB") as well as with the applicable disclosure requirements of Appendix 16 to the Listing Rules. The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all the information and disclosures required in the annual consolidated financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the Group's consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021.

 

As at 30 June 2022, the Group's current liabilities exceeded its current assets by approximately RMB55,584 million. The liquidity of the Group is primarily dependent on its ability to maintain cash inflows from operations and sufficient financing to meet its financial obligations as and when they fall due. Considering the Company's sources of liquidity and the unutilised bank facilities of RMB126,290 million as at 30 June 2022, the Directors believe that adequate funding is available to fulfil the Group's debt obligations and capital expenditure requirements to enable the Group to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future when preparing these condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2022. Accordingly, these condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a basis that the Group will be able to continue as a going concern.

 

2.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis except for certain financial instruments, which are measured at fair values.

 

Other than application of amendments to International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs"), the accounting policies and methods of computation used in the condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2022 are the same as those presented in the Group's annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021.

 

Application of amendments to IFRSs

 

In the current interim period, the Group has applied the following amendments to IFRSs issued by the IASB, for the first time, which are mandatorily effective for the Group's annual period beginning on or after 1 January 2022 for the preparation of the Group's condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Amendments to IFRS 3

Reference to the Conceptual Framework



Amendments to IAS 16

Property, Plant and Equipment - Proceeds before Intended Use



Amendments to IAS 37

Onerous Contracts - Cost of Fulfilling a Contract



Amendments to IFRSs

Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2018-2020

 

The application of the amendments to IFRSs in the current interim period has had no material impact on the Group's financial positions and performance for the current and prior periods and/or on the disclosures set out in these condensed consolidated financial statements.


3A. REVENUE

 

 


Six months ended 30 June

 


2022

2021

 


RMB'000

RMB'000

 


(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

 




 

Revenue from contracts with customers

23,828,703

37,568,479

 

Rental income (included in revenue of airline operations segment)

123,950

95,324


 

 

 

Total revenue

23,952,653

37,663,803

 


 

 





 

Disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers

 


Six months ended 30 June 2022

Six months ended 30 June 2021

 

Segments

Airline operations

Other operations

Airline operations

Other operations


RMB'000

RMB'000

RMB'000

RMB'000


(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)






Type of goods or services





Airline operations





Passenger

15,103,503

-

30,895,166

-

Cargo and mail

6,879,669

-

4,575,303

-

Ground service income

38,434

-

107,195

-

Others

681,013

-

580,640

-


 

 

 

 


22,702,619

-

36,158,304

-


 

 

 

 

Other operations





Aircraft engineering income

-

1,004,000

-

1,271,234

Others

-

122,084

-

138,941








1,126,084

-

1,410,175


 

 

 

 

Total

22,702,619

1,126,084

36,158,304

1,410,175


 

 

 

 






Geographical markets





Mainland China

15,124,884

1,126,084

30,426,309

1,410,175

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ("SAR"), Macau SAR and Taiwan, China

 

 

530,154

 

 

-

 

 

624,049

 

 

-

International

7,047,581

-

5,107,946

-


 

 

 

 

Total

22,702,619

1,126,084

36,158,304

1,410,175


 

 

 

 


3B.   SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

The Group's operating businesses are structured and managed separately, according to the nature of their operations and the services they provide. The Group has the following reportable operating segments:

 

(a)  the "airline operations" segment which mainly comprises the provision of air passenger and air cargo services; and

 

(b)  the "other operations" segment which comprises the provision of aircraft engineering and other airline-related services.

 

Intersegment sales and transfers are transacted with reference to the selling prices used for sales made to third parties at the then prevailing market prices.

 

Operating segments

 

The following tables present the Group's consolidated revenue and loss before taxation regarding the Group's operating segments in accordance with the Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises of the PRC ("CASs") for the six months ended 30 June 2022 and 2021 and the reconciliations of reportable segment revenue and loss before taxation to the Group's consolidated amounts under IFRSs:

 

For the six months ended 30 June 2022

 


Airline operations

Other operations

 

Elimination

 

Total


RMB'000

RMB'000

RMB'000

RMB'000






Revenue





Sales to external customers

22,826,569

1,126,084

-

23,952,653

Intersegment sales

62,327

2,163,952

(2,226,279)

-


 

 

 

 

Revenue for reportable segments under CASs and IFRSs

 

22,888,896

 

3,290,036

 

(2,226,279)

 

23,952,653


 

 

 

 






Segment loss before taxation





Loss before taxation for reportable segments under CASs

 

(22,628,677)

 

(491,684)

 

47,150

 

(23,073,211)


 

 

 







Effect of differences between IFRSs and CASs




 

(2,586)





 

Loss before taxation for the period under IFRSs




 

(23,075,797)





 


For the six months ended 30 June 2021

 


Airline operations

Other operations

 

Elimination

 

Total


RMB'000

RMB'000

RMB'000

RMB'000






Revenue





Sales to external customers

36,253,628

1,410,175

-

37,663,803

Intersegment sales

74,687

2,682,677

(2,757,364)

-


 

 

 

 

Revenue for reportable segments under CASs and IFRSs

 

36,328,315

 

4,092,852

 

(2,757,364)

 

37,663,803


 

 

 

 






Segment loss before taxation





Loss before taxation for reportable segments under CASs

 

(9,366,578)

 

(33,554)

 

(10,666)

 

(9,410,798)


 

 

 







Effect of differences between IFRSs and CASs




 

5,849





 

Loss before taxation for the period under IFRSs




 

(9,404,949)





 

 

The following table presents the segment assets of the Group's operating segments under CASs as at 30 June 2022 and 31 December 2021 and the reconciliations of reportable segment assets to the Group's consolidated amounts under IFRSs:

 


Airline operations

Other operations

 

Elimination

 

Total


RMB'000

RMB'000

RMB'000

RMB'000






Segment assets





Total assets for reportable segments as at 30 June 2022 under CASs (unaudited)

 

 

285,049,507

 

 

31,624,999

 

 

(17,342,810)

 

 

299,331,696


 

 

 







Effect of differences between IFRSs and CASs




 

(35,902)





 

Total assets as at 30 June 2022 under IFRSs (unaudited)




 

299,295,794





 






Total assets for reportable segments as at 31 December 2021 under CASs (audited)

 

 

283,966,030

 

 

30,399,066

 

 

(15,949,944)

 

 

298,415,152


 

 

 







Effect of differences between IFRSs and CASs




 

(33,962)





 

Total assets as at 31 December 2021 under IFRSs (audited)




 

298,381,190





 


Geographical information

 

The following tables present the Group's consolidated revenue under IFRSs by geographical location for the six months ended 30 June 2022 and 2021, respectively:

 

For the six months ended 30 June 2022

 


 

 

Mainland

China

Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan, China

 

 

 

International

 

 

 

Total


RMB'000

RMB'000

RMB'000

RMB'000






Sales to external customers and total revenue

 

16,374,918

 

530,154

 

7,047,581

 

23,952,653


 

 

 

 

 

For the six months ended 30 June 2021

 


 

 

Mainland

China

Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan, China

 

 

 

International

 

 

 

Total


RMB'000

RMB'000

RMB'000

RMB'000






Sales to external customers and total revenue

 

31,931,808

 

624,049

 

5,107,946

 

37,663,803


 

 

 

 

 

In determining the Group's geographical information, revenue is attributed to the segments based on the origin or destination of each flight. Assets, which consist principally of aircraft and ground equipment, supporting the Group's worldwide transportation network, are mainly registered/located in Mainland China. According to the business demand, the Group needs to flexibly allocate different aircraft to match the need of the route network. An analysis of the assets of the Group by geographical distribution has therefore not been included.

 

Revenue from transactions with CNAHC and its subsidiaries (other than the Group) amounted to 30% of the Group's revenue during the six months ended 30 June 2022 (six months ended 30 June 2021: 12%), which is the only single customer with revenue from transactions that amounted to 10% or more of the Group's revenue.


4.  OTHER INCOME AND GAINS

 

 


Six months ended 30 June

 


2022

2021

 

Continuing operations

RMB'000

RMB'000

 


(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

 




 

Co-operation routes income and subsidy income

1,388,679

2,192,115

 

Dividend income

3,190

2,631

 

Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment

2,039

5,598

 

Loss on disposal of assets held for sale

(13,141)

-

 

Others

66,618

88,797


 

 

 


1,447,385

2,289,141

 


 

 





 

5.  LOSS FROM OPERATIONS

 

The Group's loss from operations is arrived at after charging:

 


Six months ended 30 June


2022

2021


RMB'000

RMB'000


(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)




Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

4,333,124

4,596,415

Depreciation of right-of-use assets

6,112,491

5,722,680

Depreciation of investment properties

12,672

12,505

Amortisation of intangible assets

31

21

Research and development costs recognised as an expense

73,821

60,826


 

 

 

6.  FINANCE COSTS

 

An analysis of the Group's finance costs during the period is as follows:

 

 


Six months ended 30 June

 


2022

2021

 


RMB'000

RMB'000

 


(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

 




 

Interest on interest-bearing borrowings

1,690,580

1,205,093

 

Interest on lease liabilities

1,578,905

1,596,943

 

Imputed interest expenses on defined benefit obligations

3,373

3,976


 

 

 


3,272,858

2,806,012

 

Less: Interest capitalised

(131,423)

(147,714)


 

 

 


3,141,435

2,658,298

 


 

 





 

The interest capitalisation rates during the period ranged from 1.92% to 4.41% per annum (six months ended 30 June 2021: 1.75% to 4.41% per annum).


7.  INCOME TAX CREDIT

 

 


Six months ended 30 June

 


2022

2021

 


RMB'000

RMB'000

 


(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

 




 

Current income tax:



 

- Mainland China

18,301

15,048

 

- Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR, China

819

827

 

Over-provision in respect of prior years

(197)

(1,575)

 

Deferred tax

(880,575)

(1,748,584)


 

 

 


(861,652)

(1,734,284)

 


 

 





 

Under the relevant Corporate Income Tax Law and regulations in the PRC, except for two branches and three subsidiaries of the Company, and some branches of a subsidiary of the Company which are taxed at a preferential rate of 15% (six months ended 30 June 2021: 15%), all group companies located in Mainland China are subject to a corporate income tax rate of 25% (six months ended 30 June 2021: 25%). Subsidiaries in Hong Kong SAR, China are taxed at corporate income tax rates of 16.5% (six months ended 30 June 2021: 16.5%), and subsidiaries in Macau SAR, China are taxed at corporate income tax rate of 12% (six months ended 30 June 2021: 12%).

 

In respect of majority of the Group's overseas airline activities, the Group has either obtained exemptions from overseas taxation pursuant to the bilateral aviation agreements between the overseas governments and the PRC government, or has sustained tax losses in these overseas jurisdictions. Accordingly, no provision for overseas tax has been made for overseas airlines activities in the current and prior periods.

 

8.  DIVIDENDS

 

(a)  Dividends payable to equity shareholders attributable to the interim period

 

In accordance with the Company's articles of association, the profit after tax of the Company for the purpose of dividend distribution is based on the lesser of (i) the profit determined in accordance with CASs; and (ii) the profit determined in accordance with IFRSs.

 

No interim dividend has been declared by the Directors for the six months ended 30 June 2022 (six months ended 30 June 2021: Nil).

 

(b)  Dividends payable to equity shareholders attributable to the previous financial year, approved during the current interim period

 

No dividend has been declared by the Directors for the financial year 2021 during the current interim period. (six months ended 30 June 2021: Nil)


9.  LOSS PER SHARE

 

The calculation of basic loss per share was based on the loss attributable to ordinary equity shareholders of the Company of RMB19,437 million (six months ended 30 June 2021: loss of RMB6,781 million) and the number of 13,734,960,921 (six months ended 30 June 2021: 13,734,960,921) ordinary shares in issue during the period, as adjusted to reflect the number of treasury shares held by Cathay Pacific Airways Limited ("Cathay Pacific") through reciprocal shareholding.

 

The Group had no potential ordinary shares in issue during both periods.

 

10.  ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

 

The ageing analysis of the accounts receivable as at the end of the Reporting Period, based on the transaction date, net of allowance for expected credit losses, was as follows:

 

 


At

At

 


30 June

31 December

 


2022

2021

 


RMB'000

RMB'000

 


(Unaudited)

(Audited)

 




 

Within 30 days

1,162,976

1,841,788

 

31 to 60 days

158,345

912,729

 

61 to 90 days

20,816

68,098

 

Over 90 days

296,355

168,422


 

 

 


1,638,492

2,991,037

 


 

 





 

11.  ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

 

The ageing analysis of the accounts payable, based on the transaction date, as at the end of the Reporting Period was as follows:

 

 


At

At

 


30 June

31 December

 


2022

2021

 


RMB'000

RMB'000

 


(Unaudited)

(Audited)

 




 

Within 30 days

5,758,460

4,440,586

 

31 to 60 days

1,736,642

1,070,102

 

61 to 90 days

790,699

1,053,190

 

Over 90 days

4,759,633

6,026,897


 

 

 


13,045,434

12,590,775

 


 

 






  SUMMARY OF OPERATING DATA

 

The following is the operating data summary of the Company, Shenzhen Airlines (including Kunming Airlines), Air Macau, Beijing Airlines, Dalian Airlines and Air China Inner Mongolia.

 


January to June 2022

January to June 2021

Increase/ (decrease)





Capacity




ASK (million)

44,282.01

82,499.92

(46.32%)

International

1,595.40

2,115.00

(24.57%)

Mainland China

41,869.76

79,091.22

(47.06%)

Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan, China

816.84

1,293.70

(36.86%)





AFTK (million)

5,172.28

5,494.08

(5.86%)

International

3,916.08

3,251.70

20.43%

Mainland China

1,195.86

2,183.95

(45.24%)

Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan, China

60.34

58.43

3.27%





ATK (million)

9,162.00

12,928.38

(29.13%)





Traffic




RPK (million)

26,756.90

58,252.60

(54.07%)

International

572.59

894.83

(36.01%)

Mainland China

25,796.55

56,630.89

(54.45%)

Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan, China

387.77

726.89

(46.65%)





RFTK (million)

2,104.47

2,067.48

1.79%

International

1,625.14

1,402.29

15.89%

Mainland China

458.32

646.52

(29.11%)

Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan, China

21.00

18.67

12.48%





Passengers carried (thousand)

17,373.04

38,610.67

(55.00%)

International

94.59

145.81

(35.13%)

Mainland China

17,051.59

38,023.37

(55.15%)

Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan, China

226.87

441.49

(48.61%)





Cargo and mail carried (tonnes)

486,513.58

600,504.45

(18.98%)





Kilometres flown (million)

329.34

532.23

(38.12%)





Block hours (thousand)

508.13

860.26

(40.93%)





Number of flights

172,708

310,257

(44.33%)

International

9,602

9,490

1.18%

Mainland China

160,037

295,927

(45.92%)

Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan, China

3,069

4,840

(36.59%)





RTK (million)

4,481.37

7,264.73

(38.31%)



January to June 2022

January to June 2021

Increase/ (decrease)





Load factor




Passenger load factor (RPK/ASK)

60.42%

70.61%

(10.19 ppt)

International

35.89%

42.31%

(6.42 ppt)

Mainland China

61.61%

71.60%

(9.99 ppt)

Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan, China

47.47%

56.19%

(8.71 ppt)





Cargo and mail load factor (RFTK/AFTK)

40.69%

37.63%

3.06 ppt

International

41.50%

43.12%

(1.63 ppt)

Mainland China

38.33%

29.60%

8.72 ppt

Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan, China

34.80%

31.95%

2.85 ppt





Overall load factor (RTK/ATK)

48.91%

56.19%

(7.28 ppt)





Utilisation




Daily utilisation of aircraft

(block hours per day per aircraft)

 

3.95

 

7.05

 

(3.10 hours)





Yield




Yield per RPK (RMB)

0.5645

0.5304

6.43%

International

2.0472

1.6561

23.62%

Mainland China

0.5268

0.5108

3.13%

Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan, China

0.8789

0.6652

32.13%





Yield per RFTK (RMB)

3.2691

2.2130

47.72%

International

3.6153

2.5858

39.81%

Mainland China

1.7782

1.2510

42.14%

Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan, China

9.0151

7.5265

19.78%





Unit cost




Operating cost per ASK (RMB)

0.9569

0.5575

71.64%





Operating cost per ATK (RMB)

4.6248

3.5577

29.99%


  DEVELOPMENT OF FLEET

 

During the Reporting Period, the Group introduced a total of 16 aircraft, including one A350 aircraft, seven A320NEO aircraft and eight A321NEO aircraft, and phased out 14 aircraft, including three A330-200 aircraft, five B737-800 aircraft, three B737-900 aircraft and three A319 aircraft. As at the end of the Reporting Period, the Group had a total of 748 aircraft with an average age of 8.39 years, of which the Company operated a fleet of 472 aircraft in total, with an average age of 8.54 years. During the first half of the year, the Company introduced 13 aircraft and phased out eight aircraft.

 

Details of the fleet of the Group are set out in the table below:

 


30 June 2022


 

Sub-total

 

Self-owned

Finance leases

Operating

leases

Average age (year)







Airbus

418

159

140

119

8.01

A319

38

32

6

-

14.56

A320/A321

302

103

109

90

7.14

A330

61

24

8

29

9.79

A350

17

-

17

-

2.53







Boeing

318

143

93

82

9.03

B737

266

119

73

74

9.16

B747

10

8

2

-

12.97

B777

28

4

18

6

8.21

B787

14

12

-

2

5.36







COMAC

7

1

6

-

1.31

ARJ21

7

1

6

-

1.31







Business jets

5

1

-

4

9.01


 

 

 

 

 

Total

  748

  304

  239

  205

  8.39







 


Introduction Plan

Phase-out Plan


2022

2023

2024

2022

2023

2024








Airbus

36

10

31

10

10

15

A319

-

-

-

4

2

8

A320/A321

27

5

31

-

3

7

A330

-

-

-

6

5

-

A350

9

5

-

-

-

-







Boeing

-

-

-

12

8

1

B737

-

-

-

12

8

1







COMAC

10

9

9

-

-

-

ARJ21

10

9

9

-

-

-


 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

  46

  19

  40

  22

  18

  16








 

Note: Please refer to the actual operation for the introduction and phase-out of the Group's fleet in the future.


  BUSINESS OVERVIEW

 

Safe Operation

 

The Group enhanced its safety management capabilities and continued to maintain a stable and safe operation. During the Reporting Period, the Group thoroughly studied and implemented the value of the overall national security, and applied the concept of safe development to all levels of the Company comprehensively. The Group strictly implemented the various work requirements of higher-level units in the face of a complex and challenging safety environment of the industry. By consolidating and upgrading the specific three-year safety rectification action, it continued to improve the operation safety system, strengthen the development of the "four systems", namely safety management, flight training, operation management and aircraft maintenance. The Group seriously ensured the proper implementation of 8 safety areas such as aviation safety, flight safety and pandemic containment to prevent and eliminate major safety risks, enhanced the specific annual actions and implemented the "15 measures of operation safety" in detail. Continuing to further conduct major inspection for safety purpose and investigation and rectification of hidden safety hazards, the Group proactively responded to the changes in operation, implemented risk prevention and control measures, and promoted the style development of the safety personnel effectively. The Group released the revised overall contingency plan of the Company to continuously enhance the Company's contingency response capability.

 

During the Reporting Period, the Group recorded 0.508 million safe flight hours. It also successfully accomplished important air transportation safeguard missions for Spring Festival travel rush, the Two Sessions, the Beijing Winter Olympics/Paralympics and other major events. Upholding the concept that the safety responsibility is a kind of political responsibility, the Group strictly implemented its own responsibility in safety management so as to welcome the successful commencement of the 20th National Congress of the Party with concrete actions.

 

Containing the Pandemic

 

The Group strictly implemented the pandemic prevention and control measures in a detailed manner and consolidated the containment results continuously. During the Reporting Period, the Group seriously implemented the approaches and policies of containing the pandemic confirmed by the Central Committee of the Party. Adhering to the master strategy of "guarding against the importation of cases and the resurgence of domestic infections" and the master approach of "dynamic clearing", the Group carefully and consistently carried out the pandemic containment measures. It pushed forward the implementation of the main responsibility level by level and launch of prevention and control measures step by step, including closely tracking the pandemic developments and containment policy changes, targeted deployment of key containment tasks and carrying out supervision and inspection. With the proper responses to the unexpected local pandemic outbreaks by our branches in Shanghai, Tianjin, Zhejiang and Guangdong, life, health and safety of employees and the orderly and stable operation were safeguarded effectively. Air China Inner Mongolia successfully and repeatedly accomplished the charter flight assignment for pandemic control and relief-aid in the autonomous region, and ensured the safe operation of inbound flight diversion. By formulating the high-standard prevention and control measures and contingency plans of air transportation safeguard for major events such as the Beijing


Winter Olympics and Paralympics and the Two Sessions, the key mission of "zero-infection" was accomplished. The Group carried out specific emergency drills to fight the pandemic, and established the system of the three-tier emergency plan in order to continuously enhance the capability in regular prevention and control. Besides, it enhanced education and training of employees to promote the vaccine booster program as far as possible for those who are eligible. The campaign of caring for the mental health of the flight attendant team was further implemented to increase efforts in employee care. In addition, the Group strengthened the pandemic containment management of overseas pilot trainees and expatriates to safeguard personal safety and normal operation of training.

 

Maximising Operating Performance

 

The Company adhered to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, and strived to maintain the momentum of stable operation. During the Reporting Period, the Group closely followed the market and pandemic situation to adjust its transport capacity, explored the maximum operating performance and enhanced its potential, exercised stringent cost control and managed capital risks.

 

The Group proactively responded to the market changes and dynamically adjusted its operation arrangement. Having seized the market opportunities presented by Spring Festival travel rush, it operated 33,000 domestic flights, representing a year-on-year increase of 12% in transport capacity. In May and June, aligning with the pace of market recovery, the Group resumed the scale of transport capacity allocation in an orderly manner, which resulted in month-on-month increases of 34.9% and 53.2% in transport capacity, respectively. It continued to push ahead the development of the domestic express routes and optimized the flight schedules while enhanced the allocation of wide-body aircraft to 47% and 38% for six express routes and 10 boutique routes, respectively. Adhering to the price-driven strategy, the Group strictly controlled cargo spaces and maintained its advantage in the overall freight price level. It refined the marketing strategy and promoted precise marketing in order to increase the stickiness of frequent flier members. With the enhanced support of interline products to the passenger load of flights, the sales volume and revenue from interline products for the first half of the year amounted to 0.65 million passengers and RMB0.31 billion, respectively. Under the strengthened integration of passenger aircraft for cargo operations, the Group operated 9,851 cargo flights by passenger aircraft, representing an increase of 24.1% year-on-year.

 

Striving to curb expenses under strict cost control, the Group strengthened the value management throughout the life cycle of aircraft and made focused efforts to boost the cost efficiency of aircraft use. It optimized the aircraft cost and put greater efforts into implementing the fuel-saving measures and APU replacement. By making full use of the alleviation policies properly, the Group obtained the supporting funds. By adjusting and optimizing the debt structure, the Group has increased the proportion of medium- and long-term debts, thereby ensuring its capital security.


Enhancing Services

 

The Group continued to promote the implementation of service initiatives to constantly improve the customer service experience. During the Reporting Period, the Group continued to optimize the travel experience of passengers under the pandemic containment measures, upgrade the quality of services and products and develop the service brand with more special features and influences so as to contribute to the Company's high-quality development.

 

Promptly responding to the pandemic prevention and control policies, the Group devoted strenuous efforts in timely and effectively making announcements of any change in flights and rendering full- process passenger services such as ticket refund and change. Focusing on the passenger demands, the Group accelerated the development of its convenient passenger service. With the expanded contactless online service, all the domestic terminals have realized the full coverage of "paperless" travel services. Remote self check-in service has been launched at 137 operating domestic airports. The Group enhanced the online self-service experience by launching charged services designed for unaccompanied children aged 12-18 in domestic routes and upgrading smart transit guidance functions in the APP. It commenced health information inquiry and auto-examination services for arriving international passengers at 14 operating overseas airports in Europe, America, Asia and Africa. To align with the international standard, the Group improved the quality of baggage transportation and successfully passed the full- network baggage tracking and certification under the Resolution 753 of the International Air Transport Association, thus continuing to expand the network of route coverage for baggage tracking.

 

Highlighting the brand features, the Group created Air China's exclusive ground-air experience for passengers. To develop featured ground rest spaces of Air China, the Group pushed forward the implementation of the design standard of innovative self-operated lounges and the construction of four new lounges (approximately 2,500 square meters) in Hangzhou and Guiyang in an orderly manner. To create Air China's featured enjoyable and comfy flying experience for passengers, the Group adopted the customized design for the innovative business class seats of A350, and upgraded the graphic user interface of the in-flight entertainment system so as to refresh the flight experience of passengers. The

Group updated the Wi-Fi platform with five major selected sections featuring "Xuexi Qiangguo ( )" to allow more fun for passengers' flights with richer entertainment content. Launching the innovative "Henishuo ( )"and "Dainifei ( )" series meal box services, the Group continued

to create new products through research and development, serve and optimize the new modes of our in-flight meals, thereby offering higher quality meal options to passengers.

 

  MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS ON FINANCIAL CONDITIONS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion and analysis are based on the Group's interim condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto which were prepared in accordance with the IAS 34 as well as the applicable disclosure requirements under Appendix 16 to the Listing Rules and are designed to assist the readers in further understanding the information provided in this announcement so as to better understand the financial conditions and results of operations of the Group as a whole.


Revenue

 

During the Reporting Period, the Group's revenue was RMB23,953 million, representing a year-on-year decrease of RMB13,711 million or 36.40%. Among the revenues, air traffic revenue was RMB21,983 million, representing a year-on-year decrease of RMB13,487 million or 38.02%. Other operating revenue was RMB1,970 million, representing a year-on-year decrease of RMB224 million or 10.21%.

 

Revenue Contributed by Geographical Segments

 


For the six months ended 30 June



2022

2021


(in RMB'000)

Amount

Percentage

Amount

Percentage

Change







International

7,047,581

29.43%

5,107,946

13.56%

37.97%

Mainland China

16,374,918

68.36%

31,931,808

84.78%

(48.72%)

Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan, China

 

530,154

 

2.21%

 

624,049

 

1.66%

 

(15.05%)


 

 

 

 

 

Total

23,952,653

  100.00%

37,663,803

  100.00%

  (36.40% )







 

Air Passenger Revenue

 

During the Reporting Period, the Group recorded an air passenger revenue of RMB15,104 million, representing a year-on-year decrease of RMB15,792 million. Among the air passenger revenue, the decrease of capacity resulted in a decrease in revenue of RMB14,312 million, and the decrease of passenger load factor resulted in a decrease in revenue of RMB2,392 million, while the increase of passenger yield resulted in an increase in revenue of RMB912 million. The capacity, passenger load factor and yield per RPK of air passenger business during the Reporting Period are as follows:



For the six months ended 30 June



2022

2021

Change





Available seat kilometres (million)

44,282.01

82,499.92

(46.32%)

Passenger load factor (%)

60.42

70.61

(10.19 ppt)

Yield per RPK (RMB)

0.5645

0.5304

6.43%

 

Air Passenger Revenue Contributed by Geographical Segments

 


For the six months ended 30 June



2022

2021


(in RMB'000)

Amount

Percentage

Amount

Percentage

Change







International

1,172,233

7.76%

1,481,942

4.80%

(20.90%)

Mainland China

13,590,439

89.98%

28,929,694

93.64%

(53.02%)

Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan, China

 

340,831

 

2.26%

 

483,530

 

1.56%

 

(29.51%)


 

 

 

 

 

Total

15,103,503

  100.00%

30,895,166

  100.00%

  (51.11% )







 

Air Cargo and Mail Revenue

 

During the Reporting Period, the Group's air cargo and mail revenue was RMB6,880 million, representing a year-on-year increase of RMB2,304 million. Among the air cargo and mail revenue, the increase of yield of cargo and mail business contributed to an increase in revenue of RMB2,222 million, and the increase of cargo and mail load factor resulted in an increase in revenue of RMB350 million, while the decrease of capacity resulted in a decrease in revenue of RMB268 million. The capacity, cargo and mail load factor and yield per RFTK of air cargo and mail business during the Reporting Period are as follows:

 


For the six months ended 30 June



2022

2021

Change





Available freight tonne kilometres (million)

5,172.28

5,494.08

(5.86%)

Cargo and mail load factor (%)

40.69

37.63

3.06 ppt

Yield per RFTK (RMB)

3.2691

2.2130

47.72%


Air Cargo and Mail Revenue Contributed by Geographical Segments

 


For the six months ended 30 June



2022

2021


(in RMB'000)

Amount

Percentage

Amount

Percentage

Change













International

5,875,348

85.40%

3,626,004

79.25%

62.03%

Mainland China

814,998

11.85%

808,780

17.68%

0.77%

Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan, China

 

189,323

 

2.75%

 

140,519

 

3.07%

 

34.73%


 

 

 

 

 

Total

  6,879,669

  100.00%

  4,575,303

  100.00%

  50.37%







 

Operating Expenses

 

During the Reporting Period, the Group's operating expenses were RMB42,373 million, representing a decrease of 7.88% from RMB45,996 million for the same period of the previous year. The breakdown of the operating expenses is set out below:

 


For the six months ended 30 June



2022

2021


(in RMB'000)

Amount

Percentage

Amount

Percentage

Change







Jet fuel costs

10,348,319

24.42%

9,914,804

21.56%

4.37%

Take-off, landing and depot charges

 

3,221,432

 

7.60%

 

5,020,224

 

10.91%

 

(35.83%)

Depreciation and amortisation

10,458,318

24.68%

10,331,621

22.46%

1.23%

Aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul costs

 

2,370,572

 

5.59%

 

3,586,761

 

7.80%

 

(33.91%)

Employee compensation costs

11,444,006

27.01%

11,301,581

24.57%

1.26%

Air catering charges

415,683

0.98%

912,392

1.98%

(54.44%)

Selling and marketing expenses

908,624

2.14%

1,140,228

2.48%

(20.31%)

General and administrative expenses

 

507,940

 

1.20%

 

469,485

 

1.02%

 

8.19%

Others

2,697,858

6.38%

3,318,460

7.22%

(18.70%)


 

 

 

 

 

Total

42,372,752

  100.00%

45,995,556

  100.00%

  (7.88% )








• Jet fuel costs increased by RMB434 million on a year-on-year basis, mainly due to the combined effect of the increase in the prices of jet fuel and the decrease in the consumption of jet fuel.

 

• Take-off, landing and depot charges decreased by RMB1,799 million on a year-on-year basis, mainly due to the year-on-year decrease in the number of take-offs and landings.

 

• Aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul costs decreased by RMB1,216 million on a year-on-year basis, mainly due to the year-on-year decrease in the investment in production and operation.

 

• Employee compensation costs increased by RMB142 million on a year-on-year basis, mainly due to the combined effect of the resumption of contribution to the corporate annuity plan and the decrease in investment in production and operation.

 

• Air catering charges decreased by RMB497 million on a year-on-year basis, mainly due to the decrease in the number of passengers.

 

Other operating expenses mainly included civil aviation development fund and ordinary expenses arising from the core air traffic business other than those mentioned above, which decreased by 18.70% on a year-on-year basis, mainly due to the decrease in the investment in production and operation.

 

Net Exchange (Loss) Gain and Finance Costs

 

During the Reporting Period, the Group recorded a net exchange loss of RMB2,240 million, as compared to a net exchange gain of RMB563 million for the same period of the previous year. The Group incurred finance costs of RMB3,141 million (excluding those capitalised) during the Reporting Period, representing a year-on-year increase of RMB483 million.

 

Share of Results of Associates and Joint Ventures

 

During the Reporting Period, the Group's share of losses of its associates was RMB1,041 million, representing a year-on-year decrease of RMB378 million. The Group recorded a loss on investment of Cathay Pacific of RMB423 million during the Reporting Period, representing a year-on-year decrease of RMB941 million; and recorded a loss on investment of Shandong Aviation Group Corporation and Shandong Airlines of RMB475 million, representing a year-on-year increase of RMB384 million.

 

During the Reporting Period, the Group's share of profits of its joint ventures was RMB227 million, representing a year-on-year increase of RMB117 million.

 

Assets Structure Analysis

 

As at the end of the Reporting Period, the total assets of the Group were RMB299,296 million, representing an increase of 0.31% from that as at 31 December 2021. Among them, the current assets accounted for RMB32,450 million or 10.84% of the total assets, while the non-current assets accounted for RMB266,846 million or 89.16% of the total assets.


Among the current assets, cash and cash equivalents were RMB18,556 million, representing an increase of 16.45% from that as at 31 December 2021.

 

Among the non-current assets, the aggregate carrying amount of property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets as at the end of the Reporting Period was RMB220,540 million, representing an increase of 0.06% from that as at 31 December 2021.

 

Asset Mortgage/Pledge

 

As at the end of the Reporting Period, the Group, pursuant to certain bank loans and finance leasing agreements, had mortgaged certain aircraft, engines and flight equipment, other equipment and buildings with an aggregated book value of approximately RMB92,192 million (31 December 2021: RMB89,565 million) and land use rights with book value of approximately RMB25 million (31 December 2021: RMB26 million). In addition, the Group had restricted bank deposits of approximately RMB864 million (31 December 2021: approximately RMB775 million), which were mainly statutory reserves deposited in the People's Bank of China.

 

Capital Expenditure

 

During the Reporting Period, the Group's capital expenditure amounted to a total of RMB4,919 million, of which the total investment in aircraft and engines was RMB3,856 million. Other capital expenditure investment amounted to RMB1,063 million, mainly including investment in rotables, flight simulators, infrastructure construction, IT system construction, ground equipment procurement and cash component of the long-term investments.

 

Equity Investment

 

As at the end of the Reporting Period, the Group's equity investment in its associates amounted to RMB10,219 million, representing a decrease of 1.65% from that as at 31 December 2021, among which, the balance of the equity investment of the Group in Cathay Pacific amounted to RMB9,894 million.

 

As at the end of the Reporting Period, the Group's equity investment in its joint ventures was RMB1,850 million, representing an increase of 1.09% from that as at 31 December 2021.

 

Debt Structure Analysis

 

As at the end of the Reporting Period, the total liabilities of the Group amounted to RMB254,695 million, representing an increase of 9.52% from those as at 31 December 2021, among which current liabilities were RMB88,034 million and non-current liabilities were RMB166,661 million, accounting for 34.56% and 65.44% of the total liabilities, respectively.


Among the current liabilities, interest-bearing debts (including interest-bearing borrowings and lease liabilities) amounted to RMB53,154 million, representing a decrease of 3.24% as compared with that as at 31 December 2021.

 

Among the non-current liabilities, interest-bearing debts (including interest-bearing borrowings and lease liabilities) amounted to RMB155,077 million, representing an increase of 19.78% from that as at 31 December 2021.

 

Details of interest-bearing liabilities of the Group by currency are set out below:

 


30 June 2022

31 December 2021


(in RMB'000)

Amount

Percentage

Amount

Percentage

Change







RMB

163,169,761

78.36%

139,158,663

75.46%

17.25%

US dollars

43,755,771

21.01%

43,949,421

23.84%

(0.44%)

Others

1,305,365

0.63%

1,294,474

0.70%

0.84%


 

 

 

 

 

Total

208,230,897

  100.00%

184,402,558

  100.00%

  12.92%


















 

Commitments

 

The Group's capital commitments, which mainly consisted of the payables in the next few years for purchasing certain aircraft and related equipment, decreased by 5.28% from RMB30,522 million as at 31 December 2021 to RMB28,909 million as at the end of the Reporting Period. The Group's investment commitments, which were mainly used for the investment agreements that have been signed and come into effect, amounted to RMB23 million as at the end of the Reporting Period, as compared with RMB22 million as at 31 December 2021, which was mainly attributable to the investment in GA Innovation China Co., Ltd.

 

Gearing Ratio

 

As at the end of the Reporting Period, the Group's gearing ratio (total liabilities divided by total assets) was 85.10%, representing an increase of 7.16 percentage points from that as at 31 December 2021.

 

Working Capital and its Sources

 

As at the end of the Reporting Period, the Group's net current liabilities (current liabilities minus current assets) were RMB55,584 million, representing a decrease of RMB5,639 million from that as at 31 December 2021. The Group's current ratio (current assets divided by current liabilities) was 0.37, representing an increase of 0.04 as compared to that as at 31 December 2021.


The Group meets its working capital needs mainly through its operating activities and external financing activities. During the Reporting Period, the Group's net cash outflow from operating activities was RMB9,960 million, as compared to the net cash inflow of RMB4,432 million for the corresponding period in 2021, which was mainly due to the decline in revenue on a year-on-year basis as a result of the sporadic outbreak of the pandemic. Net cash outflow from investing activities was RMB1,261 million, as compared with the net cash inflow of RMB846 million for the corresponding period in 2021, mainly due to the year-on-year decrease in cash received from sale and redemption of investments and the year-on-year increase in cash paid for investments during the period. Net cash inflow from financing activities amounted to RMB13,758 million, as compared with the net cash outflow of RMB2,638 million for the same period of 2021, mainly due to the increase of its financing scale to ensure the liquidity safety.

 

The Company has obtained certain bank facilities of up to RMB193,689 million granted by several banks in the PRC, among which approximately RMB67,399 million has been utilised. The remaining amount is sufficient to meet our demands on working capital and future capital commitments.

 

  POTENTIAL RISKS

 

1.  Risks of External Environment

 

Market Fluctuation

 

The Chinese economy has strong resilience and its long-term positive fundamentals will remain unchanged. Nonetheless, in view of the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is confronted with triple pressure of shrinking demand, supply shocks and weakening expectations. There exist some uncertainties in the momentum of the general demand recovery accordingly. Based on the characteristics of the new development phase, the Group will fully implement the new development philosophy and establish new development paradigm with a primary focus on the supply-side structural reform, at the same time responding to the risks of market fluctuation actively.

 

Oil Price Fluctuation

 

Jet fuel is one of the main operating costs of the Group. The results of the Group is relatively more affected by the changes in jet fuel price. During the Reporting Period, with other variables remaining unchanged, if the average price of the jet fuel rises or falls by 5%, the Group's jet fuel costs will rise or fall by approximately RMB517 million.

 

Exchange Rate Fluctuation

 

The Group's certain assets and liabilities are denominated in US dollar. Certain international income and expenses of the Group are denominated in currencies other than RMB. Assuming that the risk variables other than the exchange rate stay unchanged, the appreciation or depreciation of RMB against US dollar by 1% due to the changes in the exchange rate will result in the increase or decrease in the Group's net profit and shareholders' equity as at 30 June 2022 by approximately RMB319 million.


2.  Risks of Competition

 

Industry competition

 

The COVID-19 pandemic created the opportunity for mergers, acquisitions and consolidation in the industry, so that the sector became more concentrated. During the early period of the "14th Five-Year" development of China's civil aviation, active adjustment and control on the growth rate of capacity based on the assessment of the industry during the period of market recovery will help alleviate the pressure of peer competition arising from short-term excess capacity in the domestic market.

 

Alternative competition

 

China has built up the world's largest high-speed railway network. It is extending its reach towards central and western China and accelerating the development through long-term planning. In the long run, the high-speed railway will change China's geographic pattern of the economy and, as a result of its cooperation and competition with civil aviation, the air-rail interlink operation will provide strong support to the development of aviation hubs. At the same time, the civil aviation sector will give full play to its competitive edges in the comprehensive transportation system and promote international exchange. It will "link main routes and branch routes and connect the whole network" to offer easily accessible transportation services to the general public.

 

  PURCHASE, SALE OR REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

 

During the Reporting Period, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries have purchased, sold or redeemed any listed securities of the Company (the term "securities" has the meaning ascribed to it under paragraph 1 of Appendix 16 to the Listing Rules).

 

  INTERIM DIVIDEND

 

No interim dividend will be paid by the Company for the six months ended 30 June 2022.

 

  EXPLANATION OF OTHER SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

 

On 30 May 2022, the Company published an inside information announcement, which disclosed that the Company was planning to acquire the control of Shandong Aviation Group Corporation and thereby acquiring the control of Shandong Airlines. On 14 June 2022, the Company issued an update announcement of the inside information announcement, which disclosed that the Company intended to acquire the equity interest of Shandong Aviation Group Corporation held by Shansteel Financial Holdings Asset Management (Shenzhen) Company Limited ("Shansteel Financial Holdings") and to subscribe for the increased register capital of Shandong Aviation Group Corporation. The Company also intended to further communicate with other shareholders of Shandong Aviation Group Corporation and finalize the investment arrangement in Shandong Aviation Group Corporation. For details, please refer to the announcements of the Company dated 30 May 2022 and 14 June 2022.


  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On 1 July 2022, as approved at the fifth meeting of the sixth session of the Board of the Company, the Company and Air China Import and Export Co., Ltd. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) entered into an agreement with Airbus S.A.S. for the purchase of 64 Airbus A320NEO series aircraft from Airbus S.A.S.. On the same day, Shenzhen Airlines, a subsidiary of the Company, entered into an agreement with Airbus S.A.S. for the purchase of 32 Airbus A320NEO series aircraft from Airbus S.A.S.. The basic price of these 96 Airbus A320NEO series aircraft (including the prices for airframes, engines and optional features) totalled approximately US$12,213 million (price quoted as of January 2020). For details, please refer to the announcement of the Company dated 1 July 2022.

 

On 2 August 2022, the sixth meeting of the sixth session of the Board of the Company considered and approved the resolutions in relation to the non-public issuance of A Shares of the Company in 2022 (the "Non-public Issuance"), which included the "Resolution on the Proposal for the Non-public Issuance of A Shares of the Company in 2022". The target subscribers of the Non-public Issuance of A Shares included not more than 35 (inclusive) specific investors (including CNAHC). In particular, CNAHC shall subscribe for shares under the Non-public Issuance in the amount of not less than RMB5,500 million in cash, and upon the completion of the Non-public Issuance, the total number of shares of the Company directly held by CNAHC and indirectly held through its wholly-owned subsidiaries shall not be less than 50.01% (inclusive). For details, please refer to the announcement of the Company dated 2 August 2022. On 18 August 2022, the Company published an announcement in relation to the receipt of approval documents regarding the non-public issuance of A Shares of the Company in 2022 issued by CNAHC (Zhong Hang Ji Tuan Fa [2022] No. 136), pursuant to which CNAHC has in principle approved the proposal for the non-public issuance of A Shares of the Company in 2022. For details, please refer to the overseas regulatory announcement of the Company dated 18 August 2022.

 

 

  CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Compliance with the Corporate Governance Code

 

The Company has complied with the code provisions of the Corporate Governance Code as set out in Appendix 14 to the Listing Rules throughout the Reporting Period, except for code provision B.2.2.


Code provision B.2.2 stipulates that, among others, every Director, including those appointed for a specific term, should be subject to retirement by rotation at least once every three years. As disclosed in the announcement of the Company dated 23 October 2020, the terms of the fifth session of the Board and the Supervisory Committee expired on 26 October 2020. As the nomination process of candidates for Directors and Supervisors of the new session of the Board and the Supervisory Committee has not been fully completed, the re-election and appointment of members of the Board and the Supervisory Committee of the Company have been appropriately postponed. The terms of the special committees of the fifth session of the Board of the Company have also been extended accordingly. The Company completed the re-election and appointment of members of the Board and the Supervisory Committee on 25 February 2022, and fulfilled respective information disclosure obligations in a timely manner. All members of the fifth session of the Board and the Supervisory Committee of the Company have continued to fulfill their respective duties and responsibilities of Directors and Supervisors in accordance with the requirements of the laws, administrative rules and the Articles of Association until the completion of the re-election work. The postponed re-election of the members of the Board and the Supervisory Committee of the Company did not affect the normal operation of the Company.

 

Compliance with the Model Code

 

The Company has adopted and formulated a code of conduct on terms no less stringent than the required standards of the Model Code as set out in Appendix 10 to the Listing Rules. After making specific enquiries, the Company confirmed that each Director and each Supervisor have complied with the required standards of the Model Code and the Company's code of conduct throughout the Reporting Period.

 

  DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE LISTING RULES

 

In order to comply with the requirements under paragraph 46 of Appendix 16 to the Listing Rules, the Company confirmed that save as disclosed in this announcement, there are no material changes in the current information of the Company in relation to matters as set out in paragraph 46(3) of Appendix 16 to the Listing Rules as compared with relevant disclosures in 2021 annual report of the Company.


  REVIEW BY THE AUDIT AND RISK CONTROL COMMITTEE

 

The audit and risk control committee of the Company has reviewed the Company's interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2022, the Company's unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and the accounting policies and practices adopted by the Group.

 

  GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS

 

Capacity Measurements

 

"available tonne kilometres" or "ATK(s)"

the number of tonnes of capacity available for transportation multiplied by the kilometres flown



"available seat kilometres" or "ASK(s)"

the number of seats available for sale multiplied by the kilometres flown



"available freight tonne kilometres" or "AFTK(s)"

the number of tonnes of capacity available for the carriage of cargo and mail multiplied by the kilometres flown

 

Traffic Measurements

 

"passenger traffic"

measured in RPK, unless otherwise specified



"revenue passenger kilometres" or "RPK(s)"

the number of revenue passengers carried multiplied by the kilometres flown



"cargo and mail traffic"

measured in RFTK, unless otherwise specified



"revenue freight tonne kilometres" or "RFTK(s)"

the revenue cargo and mail load in tonnes multiplied by the kilometres flown



"revenue tonne kilometres" or "RTK(s)"

the revenue load (passenger and cargo) in tonnes multiplied by the kilometres flown


Efficiency Measurements

 

"passenger load factor"

RPK expressed as a percentage of ASK



"cargo and mail load factor"

RFTK expressed as a percentage of AFTK



"overall load factor"

RTK expressed as a percentage of ATK



"block hour"

whole and/or partial hour elapsing from the moment the chocks are removed from the wheels of the aircraft for flights until the chocks are next again returned to the wheels of the aircraft

 

Yield Measurements

 

"passenger yield"/ "yield per RPK"

revenues from passenger operations divided by RPKs



"cargo yield"/"yield per RFTK"

revenues from cargo operations divided by RFTKs


  DEFINITIONS

 

In this announcement, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

"Airbus"

Airbus S.A.S., a company established in Toulouse, France



"Air China Inner Mongolia"

Air China Inner Mongolia Co., Ltd., a non-wholly owned subsidiary of the Company



"Air Macau"

Air Macau Company Limited, a non-wholly owned subsidiary of the Company



"Ameco"

Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Corporation, a non-wholly owned subsidiary of the Company



"Articles of Association"

the articles of association of the Company, as amended from time to time



"A Share(s)"

ordinary share(s) in the share capital of the Company, with a nominal value of RMB1.00 each, which is/are subscribed for and traded in Renminbi and listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange



"Beijing Airlines"

Beijing Airlines Company Limited, a non-wholly owned subsidiary of the Company



"Board"

the board of directors of the Company



"CASs"

China Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises



"Cathay Pacific"

Cathay Pacific Airways Limited, an associate of the Company



"CNACG"

China National Aviation Corporation (Group) Limited



"COMAC"

Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd.



"Company" or "Air China"

Air China Limited, a company incorporated in the PRC, whose H Shares are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as its primary listing venue and on the Official List of the UK Listing Authority as its secondary listing venue, and whose A Shares are listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange



"Dalian Airlines"

Dalian Airlines Company Limited, a non-wholly owned subsidiary of the Company




"Director(s)"

the director(s) of the Company



"Group"

the Company and its subsidiaries



"Hong Kong"

the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China



"Hong Kong Stock Exchange"

The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited



"H Share(s)"

overseas-listed foreign invested share(s) in the share capital of the Company, with a nominal value of RMB1.00 each, which is/are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (as primary listing venue) and has/have been admitted into the Official List of the UK Listing Authority (as secondary listing venue)



"International Financial Reporting Standards" or "IFRSs"

International Financial Reporting Standards



"Kunming Airlines"

Kunming Airlines Company Limited, a subsidiary of Shenzhen Airlines



"Listing Rules"

The Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited



"Model Code"

the Model Code for Securities Transactions by Directors of Listed Issuers as set out in Appendix 10 to the Listing Rules



"Reporting Period"

the period from 1 January 2022 to 30 June 2022



"RMB"

Renminbi, the lawful currency of the PRC



"Shandong Airlines"

Shandong Airlines Co., Ltd., a non-wholly owned subsidiary of Shandong Aviation Group Corporation



"Shandong Aviation Group Corporation"

Shandong Aviation Group Company Limited, an associate of the Company



"Shenzhen Airlines"

Shenzhen Airlines Company Limited, a non-wholly owned subsidiary of the Company



"Supervisor(s)"

the supervisor(s) of the Company




"Supervisory Committee"

the supervisory committee of the Company



"US dollars"

United States dollars, the lawful currency of the United States

 

 

By Order of the Board

Air China Limited

Huang Bin        Huen Ho Yin

Joint Company Secretaries

Beijing, the PRC, 30 August 2022

 

As at the date of this announcement, the directors of the Company are Mr. Song Zhiyong, Mr. Ma Chongxian, Mr. Feng Gang, Mr. Patrick Healy, Mr. Li Fushen*, Mr. He Yun*, Mr. Xu Junxin* and Ms. Winnie Tam Wan-chi*.

 

*  Independent non-executive director of the Company

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