Finnair - Strong passenger numbers support sales

Finnair’s traffic data in April-June indicates Q2’19 revenue of EUR 806m. We expected Q2 revenue of EUR 785m while consensus was at EUR 778m. Capacity growth in Q2 was above the company’s 2019E guidance (14.8% vs. 10% 2019E guidance) and our Q2 expectation of 12%. Fuel price continued to move up in Q2. We maintain our rating “HOLD” with to TP of EUR 8 ahead of Q2.

Strong passenger number growth and improved load factor

Finnair’s passenger numbers in Q2 grew by 13% y/y and hit the monthly all-time company record in June with 1.4m passengers in total. Overall capacity (ASK) grew by 14.8% y/y which was above our expectation of 12%. Capacity increase was mainly supported by three new A350-aircrafts that entered the service in December 2018, February 2019 and April 2019 and by one new A321-aircraft that was added to European routes. In North America, capacity increased following the new Los Angeles route and frequency additions to San Francisco. Sold capacity (RPK) growth was in line with the capacity growth at 14.7% y/y and clearly beat our growth expectation of 10%. Q2 passenger load factor (PLF) improved from Q1 and was 82.5% (-0.1% y/y growth vs. our expectation of -1.4% y/y).

Fuel price continued to move up in Q2

Jet fuel price development has continued in line with Q1. In Q2, the average spot price of jet fuel in USD moved up by 4% from Q1. On a y/y basis, the average Q2 USD price was down by 8%. Similarly, the average sport price of jet fuel in EUR moved up by 5% q/q and was down by 3% on a y/y basis.

“HOLD” with TP of EUR 8

As a result of Finnair’s strong April-June traffic data we have increased our Q2 revenue expectation from EUR 785m to EUR 806m (12% y/y) while keeping other estimates intact. We foresee Q2 adj. EBIT of EUR 65m (8.0% margin). We maintain our rating “HOLD” and TP of EUR 8 intact ahead of Q2.

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