easyJet PLC
06 October 2002
Embargoed until 07:00 Monday, 7 October 2002
easyJet confirms continuing strong organic growth and Go Fly integration
on-track
easyJet plc ('easyJet'), the leading European low cost airline, today announces
a trading update for the year ended 30 September 2002, ahead of the preliminary
results for that period which will be announced on 26 November 2002.
Overview:
Strong organic expansion has continued over the period and the integration of Go
Fly progresses in line with management's plan. easyJet expects to report a
profit before tax for the period ended 30 September 2002 which is in line with
market expectations.
Chief Executive Ray Webster said: 'Our business has performed well through a
busy summer season and, despite the current general economic uncertainty, we are
confident in our prospects for the future.'
Markets:
easyJet has experienced strong revenue growth over the period. Passenger demand
has been high, with passenger numbers increasing 59.5 percent, year-on-year,
driven by organic growth and by two months of Go Fly ownership. The load factor
averaged 84.8 percent, 180 basis points higher than the prior year. The
increase in volume largely compensated for the softer yields in the marketplace.
The majority of the organic growth came from new services to and from Paris, and
from 'joining the dots' within the existing easyJet network, particularly from
London Gatwick.
The acquisition of Go Fly was completed on 31 July 2002. As a consequence,
easyJet's preliminary results will incorporate two months of Go Fly's trading.
On a stand-alone basis, Go Fly was profitable during August and September.
Integration of Go Fly:
The integration of Go Fly is proceeding in line with easyJet's expectations,
with the management team of the combined airline now comprising a blend of
former Go Fly and easyJet managers. The location of the combined Head Office
will be in Luton and the co-location of the two workforces has commenced.
The creation of a single brand ('easyJet') and the implementation of a single
reservation and yield management system are advanced and are on plan.
Work is at an advanced stage for bringing the Go Fly flying operations under the
easyJet Air Operator's Certificate. A crucial milestone has been passed with
the appointment of 'Post Holders', who are the personnel responsible to the
Civil Aviation Authority for various aspects of safety and operational
resilience.
Operations:
The combined airline network is operating smoothly and 12 new B737-700 aircraft
have been integrated seamlessly into easyJet's operations during the financial
year.
At 30 September 2002, the combined fleet comprised 64 aircraft, with 10 aircraft
owned and 54 under operating lease. Over the year, the easyJet fleet on a
stand-alone basis averaged 30.7 aircraft, an increase of 41 percent compared to
the same period last year. Go Fly operated 27 aircraft over August and
September.
Discussions are continuing with Boeing and Airbus about a new aircraft fleet
order and a decision will be announced in due course.
Balance sheet strength:
Following the successful Rights Issue and the financing of recent aircraft
deliveries by sale-and-leaseback, easyJet has finished the financial year with a
net cash balance in excess of £400 million.
Timetable and contacts:
Preliminary results for the twelve months ended 30 September 2002 will be
announced on 26 November 2002.
There will be a conference call for fund managers and analysts this afternoon at
14:00 London time. For further details please contact Catherine Segrave at UBS
Warburg on +44 (0)20 7568 1458.
For further information please contact:
easyJet plc
Chris Walton, Finance Director +44 (0)1582 525 336
Toby Nicol, Head of Corporate Communications +44 (0)1582 525 339
Derek Livingstone, Investor Relations Manager +44 (0)1582 525 462
For media enquiries please contact:
Grandfield
Charles Cook / Gareth Penn +44 (0)20 7417 4170
This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to
the financial condition, results of operations, and business of easyJet plc.
These statements and forecasts involve risk and uncertainty because they relate
to events and depend upon circumstances that will occur in the future. There are
a number of factors which could cause actual results or developments to differ
materially from those expressed or implied by these forward looking statements
and forecasts. The statements have been made with reference to forecast price
changes, economic conditions and the current regulatory environment. Nothing in
this announcement should be construed as a profit forecast, and easyJet plc
assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to
conform them to future events or developments.
END
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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