TIDMFLYB
RNS Number : 7131O
Flybe Group PLC
09 November 2016
Flybe Group plc
Half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30th
September 2016
Flybe completes its transformation programme
Financial summary
H1 2016/17 H1 2015/16 Change
GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ------
Group revenue 383.0 339.6 43.4
Total costs (excluding revaluation
effect of USD aircraft loans) (367.1) (318.5) (48.6)
Adjusted profit before tax(1) 15.9 21.1 (5.2)
----------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ------
Profit before tax 7.0 22.9 (15.9)
Profit after tax 13.4 26.8 (13.4)
----------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ------
Simon Laffin, Executive Chairman, commented:
"We have completed the transformation, which started three years
ago. Next year, for the first time since the IPO in 2010, we will
have control over our aircraft capacity. We can begin to move from
being a supply-driven business to a demand-driven business. This
will free us for even greater focus on implementation excellence
and refining route profitability.
As passenger numbers are still rising across the industry, we
see further revenue opportunities. The aviation market is tough at
the moment, with excess seat capacity in the European short-haul
market coupled with a weaker pound, and both business and consumer
uncertainty impacting all airlines.
However, Flybe has a robust balance sheet and cash position.
From this strong position, over the next 12 months, we will open
our first European base in Dusseldorf and continue to cautiously
test routes to maximise the returns from our existing capacity. Our
aviation services are growing well, particularly as we support the
RAF A400M turboprop. White Label flying revenue is also growing,
through delivery of the SAS contract.
The Board is confident of Flybe's resilience in this market. Our
strategy is unchanged and we will further secure our place as the
leading European regional airline."
Financial highlights - Group
-- 12.8% increase in Group revenue to GBP383.0m, driven by
higher passenger volumes in Flybe UK, further development of White
Label operations and increased revenue in Flybe Aviation
Services.
-- Adjusted profit before tax(1) of GBP15.9m (H1 2015/16:
GBP21.1m) reflected the impact of challenging external market
conditions. Profit before tax of GBP7.0m (H1 2015/16: GBP22.9m) was
affected by the fall in sterling, increasing the cost of USD loans
on aircraft.
-- 15.4% increase in EBITDAR(2) to GBP83.2m (H1 2015/16: restated(2) GBP72.1m).
-- Cash outflow from operating activities GBP(0.5)m (H1 2015/16: GBP21.3m inflow).
-- At 30th September 2016, the Group's balance sheet remained
strong with net assets of GBP167.1m (31st March 2016: GBP154.2m).
Net debt was GBP(24.8)m at 30th September 2016 (31st March 2016:
net funds of GBP62.2m) mainly reflecting the increased level of
aircraft ownership.
(1) Adjusted profit before tax is reported profit before tax
excluding the revaluation effect of USD aircraft loans (H1 2016/17:
loss of GBP8.9m; H1 2015/16: gain of GBP1.8m).
(2) EBITDAR defined as operating profit after adding back
depreciation, amortisation and aircraft rental charges. H1 2015/16
condensed consolidated income statement has been restated to show
each cost line at the transactional spot rate therefore EBITDAR for
H1 2015/16 has been restated.
Flybe UK
-- 10.2% increase in revenue to GBP364.6m.
-- 13.5% increase in seat capacity, as additional aircraft were deployed.
-- 7.1% increase in passenger volumes to 4.8 million in H1
2016/17. The effect of adding new routes and rotations, together
with a weak aviation market, meant that load factor fell by 4.3
ppts to 72.0%.
-- 2.0% decrease in passenger yield to GBP70.58, due to careful
pricing management. However, the lower load factor resulted in a
6.9% decrease in passenger revenue per seat to GBP50.80.
-- 1.2% reduction in cost per seat (excluding fuel at constant
currency) due to continued efficiency improvements and non-fuel
cost savings including maintenance, ground operations and
overheads.
-- 5.8% reduction in cost per seat (including fuel at constant
currency) reflecting lower oil prices.
-- Flybe remained the top UK airline for punctuality per OAG(1)
. On-time performance within 15 minutes of scheduled arrival time
fell back by 3.0 ppts to 81.7% in H1 2016/17.
-- 43 new routes launched as well as 18 daily and 58 weekly frequency increases.
-- Flybe's 'One Stop to the World' expanded with new codeshare
or interline agreements with Air Berlin, Air India, Hainan Airlines
and Singapore Airlines.
-- Three-fold increase in White Label revenue to GBP15.8m
(GBP5.0m in H1 2015/16) as the operations on behalf of SAS made an
encouraging start.
(1) Official Airline Guide (OAG) is an independent provider of
air travel information - http://www.oag.com/
Flybe Aviation Services (FAS)
-- 28.6% increase in FAS's revenue to GBP23.8m (H1 2015/16:
GBP18.5m) including the maintenance activities of the RAF's A400M
turboprop fleet at Brize Norton.
-- Improved revenue flowed through to give a profit of GBP1.7m (H1 2015/16: loss of GBP(0.3)m).
As Flybe's three-year transformation plan is now complete, the
business will become demand-driven
The three-year transformation led by Saad Hammad is now
complete. The turnaround was a major reinvention of Flybe,
including: a capital raise; brand relaunch; exiting the Finland
joint venture; addressing legacy fleet issues; building a new
management team; and establishing a strong cost culture to drive
efficient unit cost reductions.
The last remaining legacy issue is the residual capacity growth
from the historic order (dating from the IPO in 2010) for 24 new
Embraer jets. In 2014, Flybe agreed with Embraer and Republic to
swap 20 of these brand new jet aircraft orders into 24 smaller used
ex-Republic Q400s, which reduced both costs and ultimate seat
capacity growth. Earlier this year, Flybe concluded an agreement
with the lessor NAC to cancel nine of the 24 Q400 deliveries. Seven
of the 15 remaining Q400s have now been received by Flybe and the
remaining eight will be delivered in the second half of this
year.
Despite the significant progress in reducing the size of this
legacy order, Flybe still has significant capacity growth in a
market with slower growth in consumer demand. The Company has
deployed its additional capacity on new routes and increased
frequencies on existing routes, where they could deliver at least a
contribution to fixed costs. Flybe grounded some surplus aircraft
in 2014-2016 when it couldn't find enough routes to fly profitably.
New routes and increased frequencies are targeted to cover their
marginal costs in the early years of operation, but do not
contribute significantly to overall profitability. The capacity
growth therefore had no significant effect on profitability. Indeed
with the current market capacity growth, shortages of trained
pilots are emerging that put further strain on Flybe's ability to
grow the route network.
As part of the deal to cancel nine of the ex-Republic Q400s,
Flybe took ownership of (rather than leased) 10 of the remaining
Q400s delivered for an aggregate cost of cGBP102m. Of these, six
were purchased in H1 and the remaining four will complete in H2.
This earns Flybe a c12% return on capital and gives much greater
flexibility for deployment or divestment of the aircraft. The
purchase is being funded by cGBP70m of new loans and cGBP32m of
cash. The balance sheet at 30th September 2016 remains strong with
total cash of GBP141.7m and net debt of GBP(24.8)m. Future
allocation of cash will be applied to: maintaining a strong balance
sheet; investing for superior returns; and providing returns to
shareholders.
In the next six months, the airline will take delivery of the
remaining eight ex-Republic Q400s which will mark the peak of the
number of aircraft in the fleet. There are no more aircraft
deliveries planned in 2017/18, but instead five aircraft could be
returned to lessors as they come to the end of their leases.
Flybe will now start to build on the success of its three-year
transformation programme. The strategy remains unchanged from that
laid out three years ago. In a tough market for European aviation,
Flybe operates in a niche segment serving regional aviation in the
UK and UK to Europe.
However, over the next 12 months, it will become the first time
since the IPO that Flybe will be able to control its own capacity
growth. The business will be able to move from being supply-driven
to demand-driven and capacity will peak in the coming year. The
focus will be progressively switched over the next 12 months to:
better serving customers; improving route profitability; enhancing
implementation and operations; consolidating network strength; and
profit and cash generation.
Outlook
The aviation market is a turbulent one at the moment and there
is limited forward visibility. Excess seat capacity in the European
short-haul market coupled with a weaker pound, and both business
and consumer uncertainty are impacting all airlines. However, Flybe
has a robust balance sheet and cash position. The Board believes
that Flybe continues to have a clear strategy that will ensure its
resilience in this market, which, together with control of its own
capacity growth, will secure Flybe's role in UK regional
aviation.
Q3 Trading Update (as at 7th November 2016)
Flybe UK's current forward booking profile for Q3 2016/17 shows
the following changes vs. prior year:
-- Seat capacity up by c16%
-- c49% of seats sold vs. c52% in the prior year
-- Yield down c5%
-- Passenger revenue per seat down by c9%
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by
the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under
the Market Abuse Regulation EU no. 596/2014 ("MAR"). Upon the
publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information
Service ("RIS"), this inside information is now considered to be in
the public domain.
Enquiries:
Flybe
Philip de Klerk, Chief Tel: +44 (0)20 7379 5151
Financial Officer
Maitland
Andy Donald Tel: +44 (0)20 7379 5151
There will be an analyst presentation at 10:30 GMT on 9th
November 2016 at Numis Securities Limited, The London Stock
Exchange Building, 10 Paternoster Square, London EC4M 7LT.
A live webcast of the presentation will be transmitted and a
recording will be available at the end of the day at
www.flybe.com
Responsibility statement
For the six months ended 30th September 2016
Responsibility statement
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:
(a) the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared
in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting';
(b) the interim management report includes a fair review of the
information required by DTR 4.2.7R (indication of important events
during the first six months and description of principal risks and
uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year); and
(c) the interim management report includes a fair review of the
information required by DTR 4.2.8R (disclosure of related parties'
transactions and changes therein).
By order of the Board
Simon Laffin Philip de Klerk
Executive Chairman Chief Financial Officer
9th November 9th November 2016
2016
Cautionary statement
To the shareholders of Flybe Group plc
Cautionary statement
This Interim Management Report (IMR) has been prepared solely to
provide additional information to shareholders to assess the
Group's strategies and the potential for those strategies to
succeed. The IMR should not be relied on by any other party or for
any other purpose. This IMR contains certain forward-looking
statements. These statements are made by the directors in good
faith based on information available to them at the time of their
approval of this report, but such statements should be treated with
caution due to the inherent uncertainties, including both economic
and business risk factors, underlying any such forward-looking
information.
This IMR has been prepared for the Group as a whole and
therefore gives greater emphasis to those matters which are
significant to Flybe Group plc and its subsidiary undertakings when
viewed as a whole.
Detailed results for the six months ended 30th September
2016
H1 2016/17 H1 2015/16 Change
GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------ ---------- ---------- ------
Group revenue 383.0 339.6 43.4
EBITDAR(1) 83.2 72.1 11.1
Adjusted profit before tax(2) 15.9 21.1 (5.2)
Profit before tax 7.0 22.9 (15.9)
Profit after tax 13.4 26.8 (13.4)
Net cash (outflow)/inflow
from operating activities (0.5) 21.3 (21.8)
------------------------------ ---------- ---------- ------
1. EBITDAR defined as operating profit after adding back
depreciation, amortisation and aircraft rental charges. H1 2015/16
condensed consolidated income statement has been restated to show
each cost line at the transactional spot rate therefore EBITDAR for
H1 2015/16 has been restated.
2. Adjusted profit before tax is reported operating profit
before the revaluation effect of USD aircraft loans.
EBITDAR and profit measures(1)
EBITDAR is an alternative profit measure used by airlines for
making comparisons between airlines given differing owned and
leased aircraft fleets. Set out below is a reconciliation from
operating profit to the EBITDAR figures:
H1 2015/16
H1 2016/17 Restated(2) Change
GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------- ----------- ------------- -------
Operating profit 17.4 21.9 (4.5)
Depreciation and amortisation 18.2 11.5 6.7
Aircraft rental charges 47.6 38.7 8.9
------------------------------- ----------- ------------- -------
EBITDAR 83.2 72.1 11.1
------------------------------- ----------- ------------- -------
Adjusted profit before tax(1) is an alternative profit measure
used by Flybe to assess underlying profit performance. This measure
adjusts for USD loan revaluations which result in a non-cash
translation impact on USD denominated debt used to fund the
acquisition of aircraft which are also dollar denominated. Given
Flybe has a reporting currency which is sterling, as the USD
exchange rate moves, our outstanding loan liability changes in
sterling terms. In accordance with IAS 39, exchange movements
arising on USD loan revaluations are processed through the
condensed consolidated income statement. As this is not a cash
transaction, it does not reflect the underlying performance of
Flybe and therefore we measure adjusted profit before tax to
illustrate underlying commercial performance. The table below sets
out a reconciliation from profit before tax to adjusted profit
before tax:
2016 2015 Change
GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------- ----- ------ -------
Profit before tax 7.0 22.9 (15.9)
USD aircraft loan revaluation
loss/(gain) 8.9 (1.8) 10.7
------------------------------- ----- ------ -------
Adjusted profit before tax 15.9 21.1 (5.2)
------------------------------- ----- ------ -------
1. Alternative (non-GAAP) profit measures exclude amounts that
are included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and
presented in accordance with IFRS, or are calculated using
financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with IFRS.
The reconciliations above describe how the alternative profit
measure is determined from the most directly comparable measure
calculated and presented in accordance with IFRS. The alternative
profit measures are not regarded as a substitute for, or to be
superior to, the equivalent measures calculated and presented in
accordance with IFRS or those calculated using financial measures
that are calculated in accordance with IFRS. The non-GAAP measures
described may not be directly comparable with similarly-titled
measures used by other companies.
2. EBITDAR defined as operating profit after adding back
depreciation, amortisation and aircraft rental charges. H1 2015/16
condensed consolidated income statement has been restated to show
each cost line at the transactional spot rate therefore EBITDAR for
H1 2015/16 has been restated.
Fleet
The profile of Flybe's fleet at 30th September 2016 is
summarised below:
Number of
aircraft
------ ------- ------------- ----------
Number At 31st Net movements At 30th
of March in September
seats 2016 period 2016
---------------------- ------ ------- ------------- ----------
Bombardier Q400
turboprop 78 50 2 52
Embraer E175 regional
jet 88 11 - 11
Embraer E195 regional
jet 118 9 - 9
ATR72 turboprop
(SAS contract) 70 4 1 5
Total 74 3 77
---------------------- ------ ------- ------------- ----------
Held on operating
lease 57 (3) 54
Owned 17 6 23
---------------------- ------ ------- ------------- ----------
Total 74 3 77
---------------------- ------ ------- ------------- ----------
Total seats in fleet 6,210 226 6,436
Average seats per
aircraft 84.0 (0.4) 83.6
Average age of fleet
(years) 7.4 0.4 7.8
---------------------- ------ ------- ------------- ----------
In 2014/15 Flybe entered into agreements with Embraer S.A.
('Embraer') and Republic Airline Inc. ('Republic') whereby the
contractual commitment to acquire 20 (of a backlog of 24) Embraer
E175 aircraft was removed and Flybe committed to sub-leasing 24
Republic Q400 aircraft between 2015 and 2019. In 2015/16 Flybe took
delivery of five Republic aircraft.
Flybe subsequently entered into a contract with Nordic Aviation
Capital ('NAC'), to cancel obligations to lease nine of the 24 used
Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft it was committed to under the
terms of the Embraer and Republic agreement, while taking ownership
of 10 Q400 aircraft it was under contract to lease, for a cash
consideration of cUSD129m (cGBP98m based on aircraft financed to
date and aircraft contracted to be financed in H2 2016/17) with
delivery and consideration to take place during 2016/17. Of these
10 aircraft, five were delivered in 2015/16, and another two Q400
have been delivered in 2016/17. As at 30th September 2016,
therefore, seven aircraft have been delivered to Flybe, of which
six have been purchased and one, currently leased, will be
purchased later this financial year. Eight further aircraft are
expected to be delivered later this financial year of which three
will be purchased and the other five will be on operating lease.
The commitment to finance the four Q400 aircraft is disclosed in
note 15.
In support of White Label operations in Sweden, Flybe leased one
additional ATR72 aircraft (increasing the total to five), which was
delivered in May 2016.
The following table shows the current number of aircraft that
are contracted for delivery (either acquired or leased) to the
Group as at 30th September 2016:
E175s Q400s
-------- ----- -----
2016/17 - 8
2017/18 - -
2018/19 3 -
2019/20 1 -
Total 4 8
-------- ----- -----
Business results
Flybe's results before tax, analysed by segment, are summarised
below:
H1 2016/17 H1 2015/16
GBPm GBPm
----------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Business revenues:
Flybe UK 364.6 330.9
FAS 23.8 18.5
Inter-segment sales (5.4) (9.8)
----------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Group revenue 383.0 339.6
----------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Business adjusted profit/(loss)
before tax:
Flybe UK(1) 16.4 23.5
FAS 1.7 (0.3)
Group costs (2.2) (2.1)
----------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Adjusted profit before tax and
USD aircraft loan revaluation(2) 15.9 21.1
Revaluation (losses)/gains on USD
aircraft loans (8.9) 1.8
----------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Profit before tax 7.0 22.9
----------------------------------- ----------- -----------
1. Flybe UK adjusted profit before tax reports a segment profit
of GBP16.4m (H1 2015/16: profit of GBP23.5m) excluding Group costs
of GBP2.2m (H1 2015/16: GBP2.1m), and revaluation losses on USD
aircraft loans of GBP8.9m (H1 2015/16: gains of GBP1.8m).
2. Adjusted profit before tax is defined as profit before tax
excluding revaluation (losses)/gains on USD aircraft loans of
GBP8.9m (H1 2015/16: gains of GBP1.8m).
Flybe UK
Revenue
H1 2016/17 H1 2015/16
-------------- --------------
GBP per GBP per
GBPm seat GBPm seat
--------------------------- ----- ------- ----- -------
Passenger revenue 338.1 50.80 320.0 54.56
White Label flying revenue 15.8 5.0
Other revenue 10.7 5.9
--------------------------- ----- ------- ----- -------
Total revenue - Flybe
UK 364.6 54.78 330.9 56.42
--------------------------- ----- ------- ----- -------
Flybe UK's seat capacity increased by 13.5% to 6.7 million in H1
2016/17 (H1 2015/16: 5.9 million) with scheduled sectors increasing
by 10.8% to 79,908 (H1 2015/16: 72,132). Passenger numbers
increased 7.1% to 4.8 million (H1 2015/16: 4.5 million). Load
factor decreased to 72.0%, down 4.3 ppts on last half year (76.3%)
while passenger yield decreased by 2.0% to GBP70.58 (H1 2015/16:
GBP72.05) reflecting demand challenges across the industry and
significant short-haul market over-capacity. There was a resulting
6.9% fall in passenger revenue per seat to GBP50.80.
Operating costs
H1 2015/16
H1 2016/17 Restated(1)
---------------- --------------------------------
GBP per
seat at
GBP per GBPm GBP per constant
GBPm seat seat currency(2)
-------------------- ------ -------- ------- -------- -------------
Fuel and aircraft
operations 181.9 27.33 159.6 27.22 29.02
Aircraft ownership
and maintenance 97.4 14.63 80.4 13.71 14.84
Staff and other
net operating
expenses 69.8 10.49 68.6 11.70 11.83
Operating costs 349.1 52.45 308.6 52.63 55.69
-------------------- ------ -------- ------- -------- -------------
1. Prior year restatement - from 1st April 2016, a new finance
system was implemented which resulted in a change in presentation
of transactional foreign exchange. Previously, each line had been
shown at the effective exchange rate. However, from 1st April 2016,
each line has been shown at the transactional spot rate and the
gains on hedges shown in the other operating (losses)/gains line.
The prior year period has therefore been restated.
2. Constant currency is calculated for the H1 2015/16 year by
applying the exchange rates that prevailed for reporting the H1
2016/17 results of $1.37 and EUR1.22
Operating costs have increased by 13.1% to GBP349.1m,
substantially driven by the increase in capacity of 13.5% with an
increase in both owned and leased related costs. The increase also
includes a 28.2% increase in maintenance costs related to volume,
including the aircraft and route mix increases driven by our E195
flying, much of which is underwritten by various airport deals. As
the majority of fuel requirements were hedged, Flybe has benefited
from a reduction of underlying fuel prices of cGBP11m in the first
half-year. Total fuel costs have reduced by cGBP3m, reflecting the
volume impact related to increasing the number of flights. At
constant currency, the increase in total operating costs is
6.9%.
Cost per seat including fuel decreased by 0.3% from GBP52.63 to
GBP52.45. On a constant currency basis, cost per seat including
fuel reduced by 5.8% from GBP55.69 to GBP52.45.
Cost per seat excluding fuel increased by 3.3% from GBP43.07 to
GBP44.49. On a constant currency basis, cost per seat excluding
fuel decreased by 1.2% from GBP45.02 to GBP44.49. Aircraft
ownership and maintenance costs were flat year-on-year on a
constant currency basis as Flybe offset the increased cost of more
E195 flying by improvements in aircraft ownership cost.
Fuel
Flybe UK's results are impacted by movements in the price of
fuel which forms a significant variable cost for the business. H1
2016/17 has seen an overall increase in fuel prices although there
have been some decreases through the period. Brent crude has been
in the USD38 to USD53 a barrel range for the period, with the
average price over the period being USD47. The price of jet fuel
has traded between USD347 and USD488 per tonne. Aviation fuel
prices remain capable of large and unpredictable movements due to a
variety of external factors, such as changes in supply and demand
for oil and oil-related products, and the role of speculators and
funds in the futures markets.
During H1 2016/17, Flybe UK used some 109,500 tonnes of jet
fuel, an increase on the 92,300 tonnes used in H1 of the prior
year. Fuel burn increased to 16.3kg per seat for H1 2016/17 (H1
2015/16: 15.7kg). The average market price during the period was
USD437 per tonne (H1 2015/16: USD551), with the Group paying a
blended rate (net of hedges) of USD575 per tonne (H1 2015/16:
USD835). Including 'into plane' costs, Flybe's fuel costs in H1
2016/17 of GBP52.9m (H1 2015/16: GBP56.1m) represent an all-in cost
of USD657 per tonne (H1 2015/16: USD933).
Flybe UK operates a policy of managing fuel price volatility by
entering into derivative contracts representing a portion of its
aviation fuel requirements a minimum of 12 months forward from the
current date. The intention of this programme is to provide a
significant element of certainty over its forthcoming fuel costs.
As at 30th September 2016, 91.8% of the fuel requirement for H2
2016/17 was hedged at an average price of USD533 per tonne, and
82.1% of Flybe UK's expected fuel requirement in H1 2017/18 was
hedged at an average price of USD477 per tonne.
Foreign exchange
The Group foreign currency hedging policy has an objective to
reduce the volatility of costs. Flybe manages its foreign exchange
positions based on its net foreign currency exposure, being foreign
currency expenditure less associated revenue. Historically treasury
policy capped hedging at 90%, though treasury policy now allows
hedging up to 100% to protect against increased risks to profit.
The Group currently has a relatively small net exposure to the
Euro, but has significant USD costs in relation to fuel,
maintenance, aircraft operating leases and loan repayments. The
Group generates no significant USD revenue and actively manages its
USD position through a foreign exchange forward purchase programme
similar to that outlined for fuel. The post-Brexit deflation of
sterling has been mitigated due to hedging levels. As at 30th
September 2016, 92.7% of Flybe's anticipated USD requirements for
H2 2016/17 were hedged at an average exchange rate of USD1.50, and
82.1% of its forecast USD requirements for H1 2017/18 were hedged
at an average exchange rate of USD1.44. All existing derivative
financial instruments are cash flow hedges.
Carbon emissions
The Group is required to purchase carbon allowances for all
flights departing from and arriving into the EU in order to offset
its carbon footprint in each calendar year. Flybe manages its
exposure by purchasing carbon emissions allowances through a
forward purchase programme to top up the free allowances awarded to
it under the scheme. The table below sets out Flybe UK's emissions
and carbon allowances for each of the periods under review:
Calendar
year Calendar
2016 year 2015
Budget Actual
------------------------------ -------- ----------
Anticipated carbon allowances
required, tonnes 514,681 503,663
Free allowance allocation,
tonnes 222,778 222,778
Proportion forward purchased
at beginning of period 100% 100%
Effective carbon rate EUR4.42 EUR3.52
------------------------------- -------- ----------
Flybe Aviation Services ('FAS')
This is a stand-alone maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO)
business. The main business within this segment is based in Exeter.
FAS also provides MRO services to the Royal Air Force fleet of
A400M aircraft at RAF Brize Norton and has entered into a new
long-term partnership with Nordic Regional Airlines Oy (Norra), the
regional partner of Finnair, to carry out all scheduled base
maintenance for the airline's 12 E190s.
H1 2016/17 H1 2015/16 Change
GBPm GBPm %
Revenue 23.8 18.5 28.6
Operating costs (22.1) (18.8) 17.6
------------------------- ---------- ---------- ------
Profit/(loss) before tax 1.7 (0.3) n/m
------------------------- ---------- ---------- ------
FAS's revenue in H1 2016/17 increased to GBP23.8m (H1 2015/16:
GBP18.5m). Though total man-hours decreased by 4.4% to 233k (H1
2015/16 244k) there was a 44.3% increase in higher margin third
party man-hours. The increase in revenue was offset by a 17.6%
increase in operating costs from GBP18.8m to GBP22.1m.
Group costs
Group costs of GBP2.2m (H1 2015/16: GBP2.1m) include Group Board
salaries and Group legal and professional fees.
Group - overall results
The Group's operating profit of GBP17.4m compares to an
operating profit of GBP21.9m in the first half of 2015/16.
The Group incurred net finance costs of GBP1.5m (H1 2015/16:
GBP0.9m) and other losses of GBP8.9m (H1 2015/16: other gains of
GBP1.8m) relating to the translation of USD aircraft loans.
Profit before tax for the period was GBP7.0m (H1 2015/16: profit
of GBP22.9m). There was a current tax credit of GBP6.4m in the
period (H1 2015/16: credit GBP3.9m). As a result, the Group
reported a profit after tax for H1 2016/17 of GBP13.4m (H1 2015/16:
profit of GBP26.8m).
EPS and dividends
Basic and diluted earnings per share for H1 2016/17 was 6.2p,
compared to earnings of 12.3p in H1 2015/16 (see note 7 to the
Condensed Financial Statements).
No dividends were paid or proposed in either the current or
prior financial periods.
Cash flow
H1 2016/17 H1 2015/16 Change
GBPm GBPm GBPm
Net cash (outflow)/inflow
from operating activities (0.5) 21.3 (21.8)
Net capital expenditure after
disposal proceeds (76.0) (12.7) (63.3)
Net proceeds from new loans/(repayment
of borrowings) 47.3 (6.4) 53.7
Net interest paid (1.5) (0.9) (0.6)
--------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ------
Net (decrease)/increase in
cash and cash equivalents (30.7) 1.3 (32.0)
Cash and cash equivalents
at beginning of period 163.6 177.9 (14.3)
--------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ------
Cash and cash equivalents
at end of period 132.9 179.2 (46.3)
Restricted cash 8.8 18.0 (9.2)
--------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ------
Total cash 141.7 197.2 (55.5)
--------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ------
In H1 2016/17, there was a net cash outflow from operating
activities of GBP(0.5)m (H1 2015/16: inflow of GBP21.3m) reflecting
the increased direct operating cash costs associated with having an
increased aircraft fleet, but set against relatively lower forward
sales. In addition, capital expenditure increased to GBP76.0m (H1
2015/16: GBP12.7m) offset by the increased net proceeds from new
loans of GBP47.3m (H1 2015/16: GBP6.4m net repayment of
borrowings).
Balance sheet
30th Sept 31st Mar
2016 2016 Change
GBPm GBPm GBPm
Owned aircraft 246.6 192.3 54.3
Other property, plant and
equipment 22.9 21.4 1.5
Net (debt)/funds (24.8) 62.2 (87.0)
Net derivative financial
instruments 26.3 (9.9) 36.2
Other working capital - net (90.5) (123.5) 33.0
Deferred taxation 11.3 11.3 -
Retirement benefits (47.0) (15.3) (31.7)
Other non-current assets
and liabilities 22.3 15.7 6.6
---------------------------- --------- -------- ------
Net assets 167.1 154.2 12.9
---------------------------- --------- -------- ------
Cash and cash equivalents 132.9 163.6 (30.7)
Restricted cash 8.8 7.8 1.0
---------------------------- --------- -------- ------
Total cash 141.7 171.4 (29.7)
Borrowings (166.5) (109.2) (57.3)
Net (debt)/funds (24.8) 62.2 (87.0)
---------------------------- --------- -------- ------
The GBP246.6m of net book value of aircraft represents owned
aircraft, engines and aircraft modifications.
At 30th September 2016 there was a net debt of GBP(24.8)m
compared to a net funds position at 31st March 2016 of GBP62.2m
reflecting increased capital investment in ownership (rather than
leasing) of the aircraft fleet. Net funds at 30th September 2016
included restricted cash of GBP8.8m (GBP7.8m at 31st March 2016)
which is cash deposits held in favour of aircraft owners to secure
operating lease arrangements.
The main movement in other working capital is due to a GBP25.7m
decrease in deferred income due to the seasonality of revenue into
the first half. The majority of the movement in other non-current
assets and liabilities is as a result of a GBP7.1m increase in
other non-current receivables which in the main relates to
maintenance receivables. At 30th September 2016 the retirement
benefits obligation, the Group defined benefit pension scheme which
is closed to future benefit accrual, had an IAS 19 accounting
deficit of GBP47.0m compared to a deficit of GBP15.3m at 31st March
2016. The increased liability reflects the market-driven fall off
in bond yields used to discount the future cash flows (see note
17).
Shareholders' equity increased by GBP12.9m as a result of the
profit after tax in the period of GBP13.4m plus an increase in
hedging reserve of GBP33.9m offset by the actuarial losses incurred
by the pension scheme valuation (GBP31.7m) and net GBP(2.7m) of
share-based transactions.
High Court approval was obtained on 17th August 2016 for a
reduction of capital, involving the cancellation of the amount
standing in the capital redemption reserve of Flybe Group plc ('the
Company') of GBP22.5m. This follows receipt of shareholder approval
at the Company's AGM on 27th July 2016. The reduction of capital
eliminates the accumulated deficit on the retained earnings account
of the Company and creates a positive balance of distributable
reserves. This gave the Board the ability to proceed with the share
grant of 5% of basic salary to all employees employed as at 31st
July 2016, giving eligible employees a stake in the Company. The
shares were purchased at a cost of GBP3.3m by the Company's
employee benefit trust during September 2016.
Related party transactions
Other than the share-based payment activity made to key
management personnel (disclosed in note 16), there have been no
material related party transactions since the last annual
report.
Going concern
Flybe's business activities, together with the factors likely to
affect its future development, performance and position, are set
out in the Interim Management Report on pages 1 to 3. The financial
position of the Group, its cash flows and liquidity position, and
events since the balance sheet date are described on pages 5 to 11.
In addition, note 34 of the Group's Annual Report for the year
ended 31st March 2016 covers Flybe's financial risk management
objectives, details of its financial instruments and hedging
activities and its exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk.
Flybe had free cash balances of GBP132.9m at 30th September
2016, and has met all of its operating lease commitments and debt
repayments as they have fallen due during the period.
Flybe faces trading risks presented by current economic
conditions in the aviation sector, particularly in relation to
passenger volumes and yields and the associated profitability of
individual routes. In addition, the Group is exposed to uctuations
in fuel prices and foreign exchange rates. As of 7th November 2016,
Flybe had purchased 91.2% of its anticipated fuel requirements and
89.9% of its anticipated USD requirements for the following 12
months.
The directors have prepared a detailed trading budget and cash
flow forecast for a period which covers at least 12 months from the
date of this report. Having considered the forecasts and making
other enquiries, the directors have a reasonable expectation that
Flybe has adequate resources to continue in operational existence
for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the
going concern basis of accounting in preparing the condensed
financial statements.
Risks and uncertainties
This section describes the principal risks and uncertainties
which may affect Flybe's business, financial results and prospects.
The Board has determined that these are the principal risks and
uncertainties facing the Group for the remaining six months of the
financial year. Pages 28 to 31 of the Group's Annual Report for the
year ended 31st March 2016, which is available for download from
its website at http://www.flybe.com/en/corporate/investors,
contains further details on the principal risks, uncertainties and
mitigations.
Safety and security
Flybe is exposed to the risk of a safety or security-related
incident including a terrorist threat, or attacks from either
internal or external sources as well as the risk of adequately
responding to a safety or security-related event. The incidence of
cyber-attacks has increased worldwide and Flybe is exposed to this
as a result of its reliance on the internet for a high proportion
of delivery of sales.
Commercial and operational
-- Flybe is exposed to sustained deterioration in general
economic conditions, and reduction in domestic and regional air
travel, particularly in the UK;
-- Flybe operates in a highly competitive and capacity-driven aviation market;
-- Although the Group does not believe the impact of the Brexit
vote will have a long-term impact there are definite short-term
impacts particularly in currency and there remains a risk that the
UK exiting the European Union could impact the industry both
operationally and commercially;
-- Flybe is exposed to the effects of extraneous events, such as
terrorist events, epidemics, natural occurrences or disasters (e.g.
severe weather or ash cloud disruption);
-- Flybe is becoming increasingly reliant on the Bombardier Q400
aircraft, with dispatch reliability being a key factor in the
performance of the airline; and
-- Flybe depends on good industrial relations, across all its
regions, with a workforce that is, in significant part, unionised
and is exposed to recruitment lags as it returns to growth
especially if other airlines are also in growth mode and competing
for the same human resources, e.g. pilots.
Financial
Flybe is exposed to risks associated with:
-- Fluctuations in fuel prices and foreign exchange rates;
-- The unavailability of suitable financing; and
-- Failure or non-performance of commercial counterparties.
Regulatory
-- Regulatory changes in the airline industry may have an
adverse impact on an airline's costs, operational flexibility,
marketing strategy, business model and ability to expand; and
-- Airlines may be adversely affected by increases in Air
Passenger Duty in the UK and its equivalent in other countries, and
by any future amendment with regard to regulation of emissions
trading and other environmental laws and regulations, or negative
environmental perception of the airline industry.
Independent review report to Flybe Group plc
For the six months ended 30th September 2016
We have been engaged by the company to review the condensed set
of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the
six months ended 30th September 2016 which comprises the condensed
consolidated income statement, the condensed consolidated statement
of comprehensive income, the condensed consolidated balance sheet,
the condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity, the
condensed consolidated cash flow statement and related notes 1 to
21. We have read the other information contained in the half-yearly
financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent
misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in
the condensed set of financial statements.
This report is made solely to the company in accordance with
International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410
"Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the
Independent Auditor of the Entity" issued by the Auditing Practices
Board. Our work has been undertaken so that we might state to the
company those matters we are required to state to it in an
independent review report and for no other purpose. To the fullest
extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility
to anyone other than the company, for our review work, for this
report, or for the conclusions we have formed.
Directors' responsibilities
The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and
has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible
for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with
the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's
Financial Conduct Authority.
As disclosed in note 2, the annual financial statements of the
group are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the
European Union. The condensed set of financial statements included
in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in
accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 "Interim
Financial Reporting" as adopted by the European Union.
Our responsibility
Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on
the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly
financial report based on our review.
Scope of review
We conducted our review in accordance with International
Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 "Review of
Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor
of the Entity" issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in
the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information
consists of making inquiries, primarily of persons responsible for
financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other
review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an
audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on
Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to
obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant
matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do
not express an audit opinion.
Conclusion
Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that
causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements
in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30th
September 2016 is not prepared, in all material respects, in
accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted by
the European Union and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the
United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.
Deloitte LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor
Bristol, United Kingdom
9th November 2016
Condensed consolidated income statement
For the six months ended 30th September 2016 (unaudited)
Six months ended 30th
September
Note 2016 2015
GBPm Restated(1)
GBPm
------------------------------ ---- ------- --------------
Group revenue 3 383.0 339.6
Consisting of:
Passenger revenue 338.1 320.0
White Label flying revenue 15.8 5.0
Revenue from other activities 29.1 14.6
------------------------------ ---- ------- --------------
Group revenue 383.0 339.6
------------------------------ ---- ------- --------------
Staff costs (55.9) (51.4)
Fuel (52.9) (56.1)
Airport and en route charges (82.3) (62.5)
Ground operations (46.7) (41.0)
Maintenance (26.4) (20.6)
Depreciation and amortisation (18.2) (11.5)
Aircraft rental charges (47.6) (38.7)
Marketing and distribution
costs (13.6) (13.1)
Other operating gains 7.9 3.3
Other operating expenses (29.9) (26.1)
------------------------------ ---- ------- --------------
Operating profit 17.4 21.9
Investment income 0.6 0.4
Finance costs (2.1) (1.3)
(Losses)/gains on USD loan
revaluations (8.9) 1.8
------------------------------ ---- ------- --------------
Profit before tax 3 7.0 22.9
Tax credit 5 6.4 3.9
------------------------------ ---- ------- --------------
Profit after tax 13.4 26.8
------------------------------ ---- ------- --------------
Earnings per share:
Basic and diluted 7 6.2p 12.3p
------------------------------ ---- ------- --------------
(1) Prior year restatement - from 1st April 2016, a new finance
system was implemented which resulted in a change in presentation
of transactional foreign exchange. Previously, each line had been
shown at the effective exchange rate. However, from 1st April 2016,
each line has been shown at the transactional spot rate and the
gains on hedges shown in the other operating gains line. The prior
period has therefore been restated.
Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income
For the six months ended 30th September 2016 (unaudited)
Six months ended
30th September
2016 2015
GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------------------- -------- --------
Profit for the period 13.4 26.8
-------------------------------------------- -------- --------
Items that will not be reclassified
to profit or loss:
Remeasurement of defined benefit
pension scheme (31.7) 9.7
Deferred tax arising on defined benefit
pension scheme - (1.9)
-------------------------------------------- -------- --------
(31.7) 7.8
Items that may be reclassified subsequently
to profit or loss:
Gains/(losses) arising during the
period on cash flow hedges 35.6 (14.0)
Reclassification of gains on cash
flow hedges included in the condensed
consolidated income statement 1.6 9.8
Deferred tax arising on cash flow
hedges (6.4) 2.6
Foreign exchange translation differences 3.1 (0.4)
-------------------------------------------- -------- --------
33.9 (2.0)
Other comprehensive income for the
period 2.2 5.8
-------------------------------------------- -------- --------
Total comprehensive income for the
period 15.6 32.6
-------------------------------------------- -------- --------
Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity
For the six months ended 30th September 2016 (unaudited)
Capital
redemp-
Share Share Hedging Merger tion Retained Total
capital premium reserve reserve reserve deficit equity
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Balance at 1st April
2016 2.2 209.3 (9.9) 6.7 22.5 (76.6) 154.2
Profit for the period - - - - - 13.4 13.4
Other comprehensive
income/(loss) for the
period - - 33.9 - - (31.7) 2.2
Equity--settled share--based
payment transactions - - - - - 0.6 0.6
Capital reduction - - - - (22.5) 22.5 -
Purchase of shares for
employee benefit trust - - - - - (3.3) (3.3)
----------------------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Balance at 30th September
2016 2.2 209.3 24.0 6.7 - (75.1) 167.1
----------------------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Capital
redemp-
Share Share Hedging Other tion Retained Total
capital premium reserve reserves reserve deficit equity
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Balance at 1st April
2015 2.2 209.3 (11.7) 6.7 22.5 (89.0) 140.0
Profit for the period - - - - - 26.8 26.8
Other comprehensive
(loss)/income for the
period - - (2.0) - - 7.8 5.8
Equity--settled share--based
payment transactions - - - - - 0.2 0.2
----------------------------- -------- -------- -------- --------- -------- -------- -------
Balance at 30th September
2015 2.2 209.3 (13.7) 6.7 22.5 (54.2) 172.8
----------------------------- -------- -------- -------- --------- -------- -------- -------
Condensed consolidated balance sheet
As at 30th September 2016
30th September
2016 31st March
(unaudited) 2016
Note GBPm GBPm
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 14.4 13.3
Property, plant and equipment 8 269.5 213.7
Other non-current assets 47.8 40.7
Restricted cash 8.8 7.8
Deferred tax asset 16.3 11.3
Derivative financial instruments 18 8.3 0.8
365.1 287.6
--------------------------------- ---- -------------- ----------
Current assets
Inventories 6.9 6.4
Trade and other receivables 108.9 101.4
Cash and cash equivalents 132.9 163.6
Derivative financial instruments 18 22.7 9.7
271.4 281.1
--------------------------------- ---- -------------- ----------
Total assets 636.5 568.7
--------------------------------- ---- -------------- ----------
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (110.4) (104.3)
Deferred income (58.0) (84.7)
Borrowings 9 (19.7) (14.7)
Provisions 10 (37.9) (42.3)
Derivative financial instruments 18 (4.5) (18.8)
--------------------------------- ---- -------------- ----------
(230.5) (264.8)
--------------------------------- ---- -------------- ----------
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings 9 (146.8) (94.5)
Deferred tax liability (5.0) -
Provisions 10 (31.5) (30.9)
Deferred income (8.4) (7.4)
Retirement benefits 17 (47.0) (15.3)
Derivative financial instruments 18 (0.2) (1.6)
(238.9) (149.7)
--------------------------------- ---- -------------- ----------
Total liabilities (469.4) (414.5)
--------------------------------- ---- -------------- ----------
Net assets 167.1 154.2
--------------------------------- ---- -------------- ----------
Equity attributable to owners
of the Company
Share capital 11 2.2 2.2
Share premium account 209.3 209.3
Hedging reserve 24.0 (9.9)
Merger reserve 6.7 6.7
Capital redemption reserve 12 - 22.5
Retained deficit (75.1) (76.6)
Total equity 167.1 154.2
--------------------------------- ---- -------------- ----------
Condensed consolidated cash flow statement
For the six months ended 30th September 2016 (unaudited)
Six months ended
30th September
2016 2015
GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------------------- ---------------- ------
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit for the period 13.4 26.8
Adjustments for:
Unrealised gains on financial instruments 5.3 5.0
Depreciation and amortisation 18.2 11.5
Investment income (0.6) (0.4)
Interest expense 2.1 1.3
Other losses/(gains) on USD loan
revaluations 8.9 (2.3)
Loss on disposal of intangible fixed
assets - 1.3
Loss on disposal of property, plant
and equipment 1.0 2.3
Share-based payment expenses 0.6 0.4
Taxation (6.4) (3.9)
-------------------------------------------- ---------------- ------
42.5 41.9
Cash paid for purchase of shares
for employee benefit trust (3.3) -
Cash paid for defined benefit pension
funding (0.5) (0.5)
Increase in restricted cash (1.0) -
(Increase)/decrease in trade and
other receivables (14.6) 12.4
(Increase)/decrease in inventories (0.5) 0.1
Decrease in trade and other payables (19.6) (26.9)
Decrease in provisions and retirement
benefits (3.5) (5.7)
-------------------------------------------- ---------------- ------
(43.0) (20.6)
Tax paid - -
-------------------------------------------- ---------------- ------
Net cash flows from operating activities (0.5) 21.3
-------------------------------------------- ---------------- ------
Cash flows from investing activities
Interest received 0.6 0.4
Acquisition of property, plant and
equipment (73.8) (11.4)
Capitalised computer software expenditure (2.2) (1.3)
Net cash flows from investing activities (75.4) (12.3)
-------------------------------------------- ---------------- ------
Cash flows from financing activities
Interest paid (2.1) (1.3)
Proceeds from new loans 58.2 -
Repayment of borrowings (10.9) (6.4)
Net cash flows from financing activities 45.2 (7.7)
-------------------------------------------- ---------------- ------
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and
cash equivalents (30.7) 1.3
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
of period 163.6 177.9
-------------------------------------------- ---------------- ------
Cash and cash equivalents at end
of period 132.9 179.2
-------------------------------------------- ---------------- ------
Notes to the condensed set of financial statements
For the six months ended 30th September 2016
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
The condensed interim financial statements have been prepared
using accounting policies set out in the Annual Report and
Financial Statements 2015/16 and in accordance with IAS 34. They
are unaudited but have been reviewed by the Company's auditor. The
results for the year ended 31st March 2016 and the balance sheet as
at that date are abridged from the Company's Annual Report and
Financial Statements 2015/16 which have been delivered to the
Registrar of Companies. The auditor's report on those accounts was
not qualified, did not include a reference to any matters for which
the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying
the report and did not contain statements under sections 498 (2) or
(3) of the Companies Act 2006.
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of accounting
The Annual Financial Statements of Flybe Group plc are prepared
in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union. The
condensed interim set of financial statements included in this
half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with
International Accounting Standard 34 'Interim Financial Reporting',
as adopted by the European Union.
Going concern
The directors have prepared a detailed trading budget and cash
flow forecast for a period which covers at least 12 months after
the date of approval of these condensed interim financial
statements. Having considered the forecasts and making other
enquiries, the directors have a reasonable expectation that Flybe
has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the
foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern
basis of accounting in preparing the condensed interim financial
statements.
Changes in accounting policy
The same accounting policies, presentation and methods of
computation are followed in the condensed interim financial
statements as applied in the Group's latest annual audited
financial statements.
No material new standards, amendments to standards or
interpretations are effective in the period ending 31st March
2017.
IFRS 15 'Revenue from Contracts with Customers' and IFRS 9
'Financial Instruments' have been published, but not yet applied.
The Group will apply these standards by year ending 31st March
2019, subject to EU endorsement. IFRS 16 'Leases' has also been
published, but not yet applied. The Group will apply this standard
by year ending 31st March 2020, subject to EU endorsement. The
assessment has not yet been finalised by management as to the
impact of the above standards.
3. BUSINESS SEGMENTS
The chief operating decision-maker responsible for resource
allocation and when assessing performance of operating segments has
been identified as the Executive Committee. Operating segments are
reported in a manner which is consistent with internal reporting
provided to the chief operating decision-maker:
Flybe UK This business segment comprises the
Group's main scheduled UK domestic
and UK-Europe passenger operations
and revenue ancillary to the provision
of those services along with White
Label flying.
--------- --------------------------------------------
FAS This segment provides maintenance,
repair and overhaul services to customers,
largely in Western Europe. FAS supports
Flybe's UK activities as well as
serving third-party customers.
--------- --------------------------------------------
Under IFRS 8, Flybe reports two business segments in order to
comply with accounting standards. The presentation of segments is
consistent with the published financial statements for the year
ended 31st March 2016.
Segment revenues and results
Transfer prices between business segments are set on an arm's
length basis.
Six months ended 30th September
2016 2015
GBPm GBPm
Segment revenues:
Flybe UK 364.6 330.9
FAS 23.8 18.5
Inter-segment sales (5.4) (9.8)
----------------------------------------------- ----- -----
Group revenue (excluding investment
income) 383.0 339.6
Segment results:
Flybe UK (including net finance (costs)/income
of GBP(10.4)m in 2016 and GBP1.0m in
2015) 5.3 23.2
FAS 1.7 (0.3)
----------------------------------------------- ----- -----
Total segment profit before tax 7.0 22.9
----------------------------------------------- ----- -----
The Flybe UK segment includes group costs of GBP2.2m (H1
2015/16: GBP2.1m) and revaluation losses on USD aircraft loans of
GBP8.9m (H1 2015/16: gain of GBP1.8m).
4. SEASONALITY
Flybe's operating results vary significantly from quarter to
quarter and the first half of the year is generally significantly
stronger than the second half as the airline industry enjoys higher
demand and yields during the summer.
5. TAX
Current tax for the six-month period is charged at 0% (six
months ended 30th September 2015: 0%), representing the best
estimate of the average annual effective tax rate expected for the
full year, applied to the pre-tax income of the six-month period.
Deferred tax is calculated based on the expected annual
outturn.
The tax credit in the condensed consolidated income statement of
GBP6.4m represents the movement in the recognised deferred tax
asset on fixed asset temporary differences, taking into account
substantively enacted changes in corporation tax rates. The
GBP(6.4)m charge to the condensed consolidated statement of changes
in comprehensive income reflects the movement in derivative
financial instruments from an expected loss at 31st March 2016 to
an expected profit at 31st March 2017 therefore changing the
deferred tax on derivative financial instruments from a deferred
tax asset to a deferred tax liability. This is realisable in
2017/18 and therefore adopts the 19% corporation tax rate enacted
for that period.
The prior year tax credit of GBP3.9m reported in the first half
of H1 2015/16 resulted from the revaluation of previously
recognised deferred tax assets.
6. DIVIDS
No dividends have been paid or proposed either during the six
months ended 30th September 2016 or during the comparative
accounting period.
7. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share is
based on the following data:
Six months ended
30th September
2016 2015
GBPm GBPm
----------- -----------
Earnings for the purposes of
earnings per share being net
profit attributable to owners
of the Group 13.4 26.8
No. No.
------------------------------------ ----------- -----------
Weighted average number of ordinary
shares for the purposes of basic
and diluted earnings per share 216,656,776 216,656,776
------------------------------------ ----------- -----------
Earnings per ordinary share -
basic and diluted 6.2p 12.3p
------------------------------------ ----------- -----------
Diluted earnings per share is the same as basic earnings per
share in the period ended 30th September 2015 and 30th September
2016 because none of the shares that could, potentially, be issued
are dilutive.
8. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
30th September 31st March
2016 2016
GBPm GBPm
Opening cost as at 1st April 304.7 283.0
Additions 73.8 59.7
Disposals (3.6) (36.1)
Reclassifications from/(to) intangible
assets 0.3 (1.9)
Closing cost at 30th September
/ 31st March 375.2 304.7
Accumulated depreciation (105.7) (91.0)
--------------------------------------- -------------- ----------
Closing net book value as at
30th September / 31st March 269.5 213.7
--------------------------------------- -------------- ----------
Additions includes GBP69.1m of aircraft additions (which
comprises cost of aircraft, engines and aircraft
modifications).
See note 15 for capital commitments.
9. BORROWINGS
Repayments on bank loans amounting to GBP10.9m were made during
the period. Three Q400 aircraft were purchased from Rand Merchant
Bank in February 2016 and GBP17.6m debt was taken out against these
aircraft in May 2016. GBP40.6m was drawn down under the Group's
facility with Nord LB in order to fund the ownership of six further
Q400 aircraft in August 2016. As at 30th September 2016, seven
aircraft had been delivered under the NAC contract on operating
leases. Flybe took ownership of six aircraft in August 2016 and the
remaining one will be debt financed under the facility with Nord LB
before 31st March 2017.
30th September 31st March
2016 2016
GBPm GBPm
---------------------------------- --------------- -----------
Secured bank loans
Amount due for settlement within
12 months 19.7 14.7
Amount due for settlement after
12 months 146.8 94.5
---------------------------------- --------------- -----------
166.5 109.2
---------------------------------- --------------- -----------
Terms
30th September 2016 31st March 2016
Interest rate Amount Interest rate Amount
% GBPm % GBPm
------------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
Floating rate sterling loans 3.3 19.4 3.5 24.9
Floating rate USD loans 2.6 88.3 2.5 83.0
Fixed rate sterling loans 3.1 35.3 3.0 0.9
Fixed rate USD loans 4.1 23.5 5.4 0.4
------------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
166.5 109.2
------------------------------ -------------- ------- -------------- -------
The interest rate above relates to the weighted average for the
period or year. Floating rates are based upon LIBOR and sterling
base rate with margins of between 1.1% and 4.1%. The loans are
repayable over the period to 31st December 2028. All loans are
secured on specific aircraft assets or land and buildings. All of
the covenants tested have been satisfied since inception of the
agreements.
10. PROVISIONS
30th September 31st March
2016 2016
GBPm GBPm
----------------------------- --------------- -----------
Leased aircraft maintenance 67.3 71.4
Other 2.1 1.8
69.4 73.2
----------------------------- --------------- -----------
Current 37.9 42.3
Non-current 31.5 30.9
69.4 73.2
----------------------------- --------------- -----------
The Group's provisions are as follows:
Leased
aircraft
maintenance Other Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm
-------------------------- ------------- ------ -------
At 1st April 2016 71.4 1.8 73.2
Additional provision 11.7 4.7 16.4
Utilisation of provision (15.8) (4.4) (20.2)
At 30th September 2016 67.3 2.1 69.4
-------------------------- ------------- ------ -------
Aircraft maintenance provisions are made in respect of
contractual obligations to maintain aircraft under operating lease
contracts. The amount and timing of the maintenance costs are
dependent on future usage of the relevant aircraft. Typically this
will be utilised within two years. The additional provision in the
period is included within maintenance charges shown in the
condensed consolidated income statement.
Other provisions includes GBP1.6m (31st March 2016: GBP1.1m) for
passenger compensation claims when the group has an obligation to
recompense customers under regulation EU261 and GBP0.5m for onerous
property leases (31st March 2016: GBP0.7m).
11. SHARE CAPITAL
30th September 31st March
2016 2016
GBP000 GBP000
Authorised, issued and fully
paid
216,656,776 ordinary shares of
1p each 2,167 2,167
------------------------------- -------------- ----------
In the six months ended 30th September 2016 no shares were
issued. The Company has one class of ordinary shares which carry no
right to fixed income.
12. RESERVES
Shareholder and High Court approval was obtained on 27th July
2016 and 17th August 2016 respectively to a Reduction of Capital of
Flybe Group plc ('the Company').
GBP22.5m was held in the capital redemption reserve as disclosed
in the Company statement of changes in equity on page 115 of the
Group's Annual Report for the year ended 31st March 2016. The
approval released the full amount of GBP22.5m into the retained
earnings reserve therefore eliminating the accumulated deficit on
the retained earnings reserve of the Company and creating a
positive balance of distributable reserves.
This balance gave the Board the flexibility to proceed with a
share grant of 5% of basic salary to all employees employed as at
31st July 2016, giving employees a stake in the Company (see note
16 on the Share incentive plan). The shares to enable the grant
were purchased in August and September by the Company's employee
benefit trust. The purchase of these shares has therefore been
reflected in the Condensed consolidated statement of changes in
equity for the six months ended 30th September 2016.
13. CONTINGENCIES
The Group has placed bank guarantees and letters of credit in
favour of various aircraft lessors, handling agents, fuel suppliers
and customs offices as follows:
30th September 31st March
2016 2016
GBPm GBPm
Bank guarantees and letters of
credit issued 8.1 6.8
------------------------------- -------------- ----------
14. OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS
At the balance sheet date, the Group had outstanding commitments
for future minimum lease payments under non--cancellable operating
leases, which fall due as follows:
Property and equipment Aircraft
30th September 31st March 30th September 31st March
2016 2016 2016 2016
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
---------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------- -----------
Less than one year 1.7 1.7 76.4 79.2
Between one and two years 0.9 1.0 69.6 77.0
Between two and five years 1.7 1.9 135.6 161.0
More than five years 10.1 10.4 15.1 28.0
---------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------- -----------
14.4 15.0 296.7 345.2
---------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------- -----------
The fall in obligations for aircraft operating leases reflects
the acquisition of previously leased aircraft mainly as a result of
the NAC transaction in H1 2016/17. In H2 2016/17, five further
aircraft are expected to be delivered on operating lease. The
majority of aircraft operating leases are denominated in USDs.
15. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS
The Group has, over time, contractually committed to the
acquisition of aircraft with a total list price before escalations
and discounts as follows:
30th September 31st March
2016 2016
GBPm GBPm
Embraer E175 regional jet 114.4 103.4
Bombardier Q400 turboprop 38.9 -
-------------------------- -------------- ----------
153.3 103.4
-------------------------- -------------- ----------
It is intended that these aircraft will be financed partly
through cash flow and partly through external financing and lease
arrangements.
16. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS
The Company has share award schemes under which employees of the
Group may be granted awards. Awards are exercisable at nil
consideration. The following new schemes commenced during the six
months ended 30th September 2016:
Performance share plan (PSP) - September 2016 award
Eligible employees were granted awards totalling 3,465,224
shares under the PSP with a grant date of 30th September 2016. The
awards were in the form of an option over a number of Flybe shares
with a strike price of 1p per share, which vests subject to TSR and
EPS performance conditions.
The performance period is over three years, commencing 1st April
2016 with 50% of the award vesting being subject to TSR exceeding
the median of the constituents of the FTSE Small Cap Index
(excluding investment trusts and Flybe Group plc) at the
commencement of the performance period. 50% of the award is subject
to the Company's EPS at the end of the performance period.
To the extent the award vests, 50% of the shares under option
will vest on the third anniversary of grant (30th September 2019),
25% will vest on the fourth anniversary of grant (30th September
2020), and the final 25% on the fifth anniversary of grant (30th
September 2021).
A stochastic valuation methodology has been used to calculate
the charge taken each year which will be trued up at each reporting
period-end for forfeitures (as no forfeitures risk has been assumed
in the valuation).
Share incentive plan (SIP) - September 2016 award
During H1 2016/17, the performance conditions for the 2015/16
bonus were assessed and GBP3.6m was determined not to be payable
and was therefore released to the condensed consolidated income
statement. At the same time, a SIP was announced which will cost
GBP3.3m over the three years from grant date and is phased
according to IFRS 2.
Employees have been able to participate in the Group's SIP under
which all eligible employees were awarded shares to the value of 5%
of their basic salary up to a maximum of GBP3,600. The shares are
held in Trust by Capita IRG Trustees Limited in a plan called the
'Flybe Share Incentive Plan'. If during the three-year vesting
period an individual ceases to be an employee, the shares will be
forfeited.
If 5% of their basic salary exceeded GBP3,600, then additional
shares have been awarded separately as a 'Top-up award' in a PSP.
These top-up shares are held in a separate employee trust.
Eligible employees were granted awards totalling 6,422,968
shares in the SIP with a grant date of 26th September 2016, and
233,188 shares in the PSP with a grant date of 29th September 2016.
The fair value of these awards is equal to the face value of these
awards (the three-day average closing market price was 51.42p)
spread over the three-year vesting period. The charge taken each
year will be trued up at each reporting period-end for
forfeitures.
Deferred bonus for 2015/16
As disclosed in the Directors' remuneration report on page 72 of
the Group's Annual Report for the financial year ended 31st March
2016, the Remuneration committee and the executive directors agreed
that 45% of the bonus should be payable in Flybe shares, subject to
a one-year deferral period. The fair value of these awards is equal
to the face value of these awards, 38.0p on the date of grant of
2nd August 2016, spread over the one-year vesting period.
17. RETIREMENT BENEFITS
Defined benefit scheme
The defined benefit obligation as at 30th September 2016 is
calculated on a roll-forward basis, using the latest agreed
actuarial valuation as at 31st March 2013. The actuarial valuation
as at 31st March 2016 is underway but is not yet completed. There
have been significant fluctuations in the economic drivers since
that time which have been estimated in the accounting obligation
estimate. The defined benefit scheme liability as at 30th September
2016 has been updated to reflect the scheme cash flows and asset
valuation movements, although the scheme's liabilities and
membership numbers have not been updated for half-year purposes.
The GBP(31.7)m increase in deficit to GBP(47.0)m at 30th September
2016 is primarily as a result of the fall in discount rate
following the market-driven reduction in bond yields.
18. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES
Categories of financial instruments
30th September
2016 31st March 2016
Carrying Carrying
value Fair value value Fair value
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Financial assets
Cash, cash equivalents
and restricted cash 141.7 141.7 171.4 171.4
Loans and receivables:
Trade and other
receivables 133.9 133.9 120.4 120.4
Derivative instruments
in designated accounting
relationships 31.0 31.0 10.5 10.5
Financial liabilities
Liabilities held
at amortised cost:
Trade and other
payables (51.1) (51.1) (44.5) (44.5)
Debt (166.5) (171.5) (109.2) (112.1)
Derivative instruments
in designated hedge
accounting relationships (4.7) (4.7) (20.4) (20.4)
-------------------------- -------- ---------- -------- ----------
Valuation techniques and assumptions applied for the purposes of
measuring fair value
The fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities
are determined as follows:
-- The fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities
with standard terms and conditions and traded on active liquid
markets are determined with reference to quoted market prices.
-- The fair values of other financial assets and financial
liabilities (excluding derivative instruments) are determined with
generally accepted pricing models based on discounted cash flow
analysis using prices from observable current market transactions
and dealer quotes for similar instruments.
-- The fair values of derivative instruments are calculated
using quoted prices. Where such prices are not available, a
discounted cash flow analysis is performed using the applicable
yield curve for the duration of the instruments for non-optional
derivatives, and option pricing models for optional derivatives.
Foreign currency forward contracts are measured using quoted
forward exchange rates and yield curves derived from quoted
interest rates matching maturities of the contracts. Interest rate
swaps are measured at the present value of future cash flows
estimated and discounted based on the applicable yield curves
derived from quoted interest rates.
The following table provides an analysis of the Group's
financial instruments, all of which are grouped into Level 2 in the
fair value measurement hierarchy:
30th September 31st March
2016 2016
GBPm GBPm
Foreign exchange derivatives 26.5 8.8
Fuel derivatives (0.5) (20.0)
Margin calls 0.3 1.3
Total financial instruments 26.3 (9.9)
----------------------------- -------------- ----------
19. RELATED PARTIES
Transactions with key management personnel
Details of the compensation paid to the Directors will be
disclosed in the Group's Annual Report for the year ending 31st
March 2017.
20. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
Flybe has a potential obligation relating to cancelled aircraft
commitments. The obligation is contingent upon components being
undelivered under the original contract. As part of an ongoing
commercial relationship, Flybe is in discussions with the supplier
to clarify and resolve the situation. It is estimated that likely
settlement could range from GBPnil to GBP6m and will potentially be
settled alongside future commercial arrangements with the
supplier.
21. POST BALANCE SHEET EVENT
On 26th October 2016, the Chief Executive Officer ('CEO') of
Flybe Group plc, Saad Hammad, stepped down with immediate effect.
Simon Laffin, Non-executive Chairman, has assumed the role of
Executive Chairman until a new CEO is appointed.
Saad Hammad is entitled to 12 months' notice from the Company
under his service agreement and will therefore continue to receive
his salary (GBP433,500 per annum) and other benefits until 25th
October 2017. He will be on garden leave until this date. During
his notice period he will be available to ensure an orderly
transition. In addition he will be paid GBP30,000 in compensation
of lost benefits and in consideration of a waiver of his statutory
employment rights. His award under the Company's 2015/16 annual
discretionary bonus scheme will vest. No bonus payment will be made
in respect of the Company's current financial year. Unvested awards
under the Performance Share Plan will lapse. The Company will also
make a contribution of GBP4,000 plus VAT towards legal fees on
obtaining advice on the termination of his employment.
Glossary
adjusted total cost total costs less revaluation of
USD loans
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
adjusted profit reported profit before tax less
before tax revaluation of USD loans
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
codeshare an arrangement whereby multiple
airlines sell seats on the same
flights and multiple flight designators
and flight numbers are used for
the same flight
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
contract flying a leasing agreement whereby an aircraft
(together with its operating crew),
maintenance, support and insurance
are provided from one party to another,
otherwise known as an ACMI agreement
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
domestic passengers from one UK airport (including
the Channel Islands and the Isle
of Man) to another UK airport (including
the Channel Islands and the Isle
of Man) as appropriate
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
effective exchange the cost of currency for a period
rate implicit through the weighted average
cost of (i) currency acquired through
forward contracts and (ii) currency
bought in the spot market
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
ETS Emissions Trading Scheme
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
FAS Flybe Aviation Services Limited
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
Flybe Flybe Group plc
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
fuel burn per seat jet kerosene used, divided by number
of seats flown
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
the Group Flybe Group plc
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
Interline an arrangement whereby multiple
airlines sell seats on the same
flight, but use only the flight
designator and flight number of
the operating carrier
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
load factor sold seats (Flybe ticketed passengers
on either Flybe operated scheduled
services or hardblock routes operated
by the codeshare partner) divided
by scheduled available seats (seats
available for passenger occupancy
on scheduled services)
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
MRO maintenance, repair and overhaul
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
net (debt)/funds total cash less borrowings
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
passenger a person with an issued ticket where
the ticket has charged a fare and/or
a passenger surcharge and tax (if
applicable)
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
passenger revenue total ticket and ancillary revenue
(including unflown APD less refunds)
plus revenue from hardblock codeshare
arrangements
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
passenger revenue passenger revenue generated divided
per seat by scheduled available seats (seats
available for passenger occupancy
on scheduled services)
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
passenger yield total passenger revenue per passenger
(after the deduction of government
taxes and levies)
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
route a scheduled service flown by an
airline other than on a franchised
route
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
scheduled sectors the total number of aircraft flights
flown per annum, excluding contract flying,
positioning, charter and training
flights
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
seat capacity the average number of seats per
aircraft multiplied by the number
of scheduled sectors flown
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
sector a flight between an originating
airport and a destination airport,
typically with no intervening stops
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
Summer season the last Sunday in March until the
last Saturday in October in any
particular year
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
White Label flying operated by Flybe on behalf
of another airline, on which Flybe
takes operational risk, but the
revenue and cost risks remain with
the airline for whom Flybe is operating
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
Winter season the first Sunday in October to the
last Saturday in March in any particular
year
-------------------- ------------------------------------------
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
IR UKONRNSAARRA
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 09, 2016 02:01 ET (07:01 GMT)
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