Results for the six months to 30 September 2014
Flybe, Europe's largest regional airline, reported a significantly improved performance in its core UK business, Flybe UK. This was more than offset by a full impairment of assets related to its joint venture with Finnair and a provision for EU 261 flight delay claims.
Flybe UK - Strong core business
· Passenger revenue per seat increased 8.7% to £54.75
· Load factor increased 8.6ppts to a record 77.2%
· On track to deliver £24m of incremental full year cost savings, in line with previously announced plans
· Adjusted profit before tax1 up £2.0m to £13.7m, despite £6.0m provision for EU 261 flight delay compensation
Flybe Finland - joint venture exit announced
· Flybe is pleased to announce the sale of its 60% share in loss making Flybe Finland for €1 to Finnair, its joint venture partner
· Share purchase agreement is conditional only upon competition authority approval in Finland and is targeting 1 January 2015 completion
· Full impairment of investment has resulted in a net £9.9m, non-cash charge in the period
Group - Operating cash flow positive
· Loss after tax of £15.4m compared to profit after tax of £13.6m for the same period last year, impacted by £34.3m of one-offs and revaluations: Finland net impairment (£9.9m), EU261 flight delay catch-up provision (£6.0m), a net movement on surplus capacity and restructuring cost (£10.4m) and movement on revaluations of USD loans (£8.0m)
· £6.5m net cash inflow from operating activities after restructuring (H1 2013/14: outflow £9.9m)