Vienna International operator boosts half-year earnings
Published: September 7, 2011
Flughafen Wien Group, operator of Vienna International Airport (VIE), reported a €43.3 million ($ 61.2 million) net profit for the 2011 first-half, up from the €38.1 million it earned in the year-ago period, and a 25.5% heightening of EBIT to €66 million. EBIT margin was 23.6%, an improvement of 3.2 points on the 20.8% operating margin achieved in the year-ago period. Revenue rose 10.7% to €280.3 millionowing to traffic growth and the introduction of a new security charge.
VIE handled 9.7 million passengers during the reporting period, year-over-year 8.6% growth reflecting the general economic recovery as well as the volcanic-ash-caused interruption in air traffic across Europe during the year-ago period. The number of transfer passengers rose 4.6%. Traffic to Eastern Europe grew 12.6% and now represents 18.3% of all departing passengers at the airport. Passenger traffic to the Middle East and the Far East increased 4.1% and 5.2%, respectively.
Austrian Airlines recorded a 3.4% increase in the number of passengers handled at VIE during the first six months of 2011, but this carrier’s share of total passenger traffic fell from 51.4% in the 2010 first half to 49%. Low-cost carriers handled 12.9% more departing passengers during the reporting period and increased their market share of passenger traffic at VIE from 21.8% to 22.6%. Maximum take-off weight (MTOW) totaled 4,065,977 tonnes, or 8.6% more than the comparable prior year period, and reflected the use of larger aircraft. Cargo volumes (air cargo and trucking) declined 3.9% to 142,516 tonnes, while flight movements increased 1.4%. Seat occupancy factor averaged 66.2%, up slightly over 66.1% in the first half of 2010.
Looking forward, Flughafen Wien revised its full-year forecasts and said it is now expecting year-over-year increases of 5% (passengers), 3% (MTOW) and 1% (flight movements).