KQ announced better than expected results for the period from Apr 1 - Sep 30 2005. Comparisons are H1 2005-6 vs H1 2004-5.
- Turnover/Revenue +29% to KShs 25.4 Billion
- PBT +36% to KShs 3.2 Billion
- PAT +48% to KShs 2.2 Billion
- EPS +48% to KShs 4.83
So what do I make of it? Well... my thoughts are in BLUE...
The effective tax rate reduced by 6% thus the higher PAT vs PBT. I think the "depreciation tax shield" accounts for the difference. The depreciation benefit will continue as they have 3 new 777s of which 2 were delivered in H1 2005-6.
KQ has expanded its reach especially to the East with 3 Chinese destinations (Hong Kong, Shanghai & Guangzhou). In view of their current expansion I expect Singapore & Japan will be added to their list of destinations in 2007.
Further expansion to African destinations continues with new routes e.g. Bamako & Dakar as well as expansion of existing sectors e.g. Lagos. Virgin Atlantic has taken a majority stake in Nigerian Arlines & created Virgin Nigeria & they will be a significant threat to KQ.
KQ announced that they will commence direct MBA-LHR flights in Dec 2005 to cater to an important tourist market. KQ is probably trying to counter the various charter operations that fly direct to Mombasa.
KQ plans to fly to Paris (France) & Freetown (Sierra Leone) by March 2006.
- I see a move to expand the West African market for onward flights east to China.
- Paris will open up a HUGE market for safari travellers esp from the French, German, Italian & East European markets.
- The Italian market is primarily served by charter flights but KQ provides an opportunity for scheduled services. Air France & Alitalia can provide seamless domestic feeders to KQ.
- There will be 4 European hubs for KQ London, Amsterdam, Paris & Instanbul. Istanbul provides a getway for East European travellers e.g. Ukraine.
- Additional European hubs also provide greater opportunities for N. American travellers to connect thru to Kenya using Northwest, KLM & Air France as feeders. Northwest flies daily from Detroit to Amsterdam. Air France flies from New York to Paris.
Passenger growth for the Mid-East & Asia +15% but turnover was -1%. This doesn't bode well for the Mid-East market since margins are under pressure from Emirates (Dubai), Etihad (Abu Dhabi) & Qatar Airways. The Mid-East airlines are well financed & provide a hub to European & Asian destinations. Emirates has expanded its reach to West Africa thus providing an alternate route to East Asia & India.
Passenger growth for Kenya +34% & turnover was +48%. Collapse of local carriers e.g. Regional Air & EASA decreased competition. KQ plans to introduce 767 flights (NBO-MBA) to increase capacity during peak early morning & evening flights that cater to business travellers.
Passenger growth for Europe +27% & turnover was +34%. New 777s with larger capacities & collapse of EASA led to tremendous growth. Average seat occupancy also increased - in spite of increased seats. London must have done very well with 90%+ levels. Increased European tourism due to a favorable Euro rate vs KShs. Istanbul was an additional destination during H1 2005-6 vs 2004-5.
Opportunities
- Huge & wealthier Asian markets esp Hong Kong, China & Japan have not been fully exploited.
- Economies in sub-Saharan Africa have started growing as well as stabilized governments.
- Regional airlines have been decimated thus little regional competition (see Challenges on SAA & ET).
- Kenya's economy shows strong signs of growth fueled by liberalization.
Challenges
- Mid-East carriers who are very well financed & have the implicit backing of their governments e.g. Emirates is owned by the City of Dubai.
- Resurgent S.Africa Airways & Ethiopian Airlines will provide competition for KQ in the core regional markets
- Fuel prices. Even though (Nov 8 2005) they have dipped below $60/barrel, they could rise. Kenya lacks sufficient refining capacity thus KQ can be held hostage by a shortage.
- Terrorism still lurks in the background. Whether directed at KQ or other airlines a 9/11 style attack can cripple the industry.
- Avian flu can cripple tourism esp from the new Chinese destinations. In addition, East Africa is at risk from migratory birds thus an outbreak can devastate Kenyan tourism.
- Unstable African nations is still a threat to KQ. The incident in Ivory Coast last year shows how KQ's fleet & crew can be stranded.
Bottomline
Financially strong airline with excellent management & partners e.g. KLM. Nevertheless, at best, it will have limited international reach but a strong regional focus on East, Central & South Africa. Definitely needs to be added to the portfolio at today's (Nov 8 2005) price of 76/- for gains over a 3-year period till growth levels off.
5 comments:
http://bulletsandhoney.blogspot.com/2005/11/grow-get-rich-opportunity-of-week.html
Great posts & analysis.
KQ has great potential, but I'm wary that they're expanding too fast in Asia, for their staff/fleet to cope.
Africa presents the greatest potential for the airline, because KQ actually 'works' whereas in some countries, having a ticket, boarding pass, seat assignment, or reservation on the local airline doesn't mean anything, until you get to your destination.
another threat to KQ is bureaucacy - whenever an african country revives & wants to support their local airline, they will try and frustrate KQ's access and routes to the country.
@Bankelele. Thank you for your contribution.
KQ has a large enough fleet to expand to additional Asian destinations with the newer 737-800s & 767 coming in 2006 & a new 777 in 2007.
What will impact KQ negatively is the competition from Emirates, Qatar & Etihad flying to the Middle-East & onwards to Asia for leisure travellers.
Staffing is already a major issue & grows worse as other airlines expand but don't train their own staff & poach from KQ! Expect KQ to hire more Chinese-speaking staff.
KQ needs to entrench itself as the carrier of choice for sub-Saharan Africa. SAA & ET do pose a strong challenge.
African governments are prone to defend their own e.g. Uganda refused to give KQ another slot in favor of the almost-defunct EAA.
Nevertheless, these countries have NO choice but allow KQ coz unless their airlines match IATA standards they will not get access to profitable European & American airports.
Air Zim's planes were grounded for lack of fuel. To think this could have been KQ if not for the privatisation.
All in all - you are right that KQ can't continue expanding at the same pace in the long-term but the next 2 years should be exciting.
Great analysis of the lie of the land for KQ
Some question if I may:
- Why Asia? Competition in this part of the world on price is stiff. One would have thought that the Americas would have been more obvious market. I know that direct competition with partners might be an issue and that mooring/berthing spots (I forget what the terminology is) for the larger airports are hard to come by but the is always the option of going with smaller hubs and letting customers connect.
- any ideas on why the concept of expanding into packaging vacations has not been explored?
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