Air France KLM : - KLM : First Half 2015 results

24 July 2015

Financial Year 2015: First Half results

SECOND QUARTER

• Revenues of 6.64 billion euros, up 3.0%, down 4.5% like-for-like^{[1]:
  #_ftn1}
• EBITDAR^{[2]:
  #_ftn2} of 824 million euros, a decrease of 30 million euros
• Operating result of 185 million euros, a decrease of 53 million euros,
  stable like-for-like
• Unit cost² down 0.5% like-for-like

FIRST HALF

• Revenues of 12.30 billion euros, up 2.4%, down 3.6% like-for-like
• EBITDAR of 1,053 million euros, an improvement of 32 million euros
• Strong operating free cash flow² generation: 274 million euros
• Further net debt reduction: net debt² of 4.55 billion euros, down 857 million euros compared to 31 December 2014
• Adjusted net debt / EBITDAR ratio^{[3]:
  #_ftn3} of 3.8x, an improvement of 0.2 compared to 31 December 2014

FULL YEAR 2015 OUTLOOK: OBJECTIVES MAINTAINED

• Unit cost reduction in the 1% to 1.3% range^{[4]:
  #_ftn4}
• Significant reduction in net debt, from 5.4 billion euros at end 2014 down to around 4.4 billion euros at end 2015

ACCELERATION OF PERFORM 2020

The Board of Directors of Air France-KLM, chaired by Alexandre de Juniac, met on 23 July 2015 to approve the accounts for the First Half of the Financial Year 2015.

Alexandre de Juniac made the following comments:
"In the First Half 2015, Air France-KLM's results were characterized by exceptional volatility in exchange rates and the fuel price, and by on-going pressure on unit revenues. All the Perform 2020 cost-saving initiatives were identified and quantified, and productivity agreements have already been signed at KLM. Transavia is pursuing its rapid development and will serve 47 cities on departure from Paris this summer. The maintenance business is posting strong growth.

The lack of results improvement leads us to implement immediate additional adaptation measures including, in particular, the closure of heavily loss-making routes, the downward revision in capacity for the forthcoming Winter season, together with an acceleration and an increase in the magnitude of our cost-saving initiatives. Following the agreement signed by KLM with its unions, the rapid conclusion of the negotiations with the Air France unions is key to re-launching the results turnaround. At this pivotal moment in Air France-KLM's history, the Board and I know that we can count on the spirit of responsibility and commitment shared by all the Group's staff to enable us to return to a growth path."

Key data

The consolidated financial statements of the Group have been revised as of 1^st January 2015 in order to improve their clarity. The changes are:

• In view of its rapid development, Transavia is now presented as a separate business segment. The passenger business segment is thus renamed from "passenger" to "passenger network".
• Capitalized production costs are no longer deducted from individual cost lines in the profit and loss statement, but are instead fully allocated to the "other income and expenses" line. The impact per quarter of this restatement is provided in the appendix.
• Foreign currency effects on provisions are no longer recorded in "amortization, depreciation and provisions" but in "other financial income and expenses". The closing exchange rate is used to convert provisions at the closing date. Previously, the Group used the average rate of the US dollar to convert maintenance provisions. The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2014 have been restated for reason of comparison. The impact of this restatement is provided in the appendix.

Second Quarter 2015 total revenues stood at 6.64 billion euros versus 6.45 billion euros in Second Quarter 2014, up 3.0% as a result of a strong currency tailwind, but down -4.5% like-for-like.

Currencies had a positive 507 million euro impact on revenues, primarily driven by the strengthening of the US dollar against the euro. In spite of higher profits on currency hedging, the negative impact on costs reached 561 million euros. The net impact of currencies on the operating result thus amounted to a negative 54 million euros.

Total operating costs were 3.9% higher year-on-year and down 4.7% on a like-for-like basis. Ex-fuel, they increased by 4.8% and by 1.3% on a like-for-like basis. Unit cost per EASK was down 0.5%, on a constant currency, fuel price and pension-related expense basis, against stable capacity measured in EASK (+0.2%).

The fuel bill amounted to 1,661 million euros, up 1.5% and down 18.7% like-for-like. Based on the forward curve at 10 July 2015, the Full Year 2015 fuel bill is expected to reach 6.4 billion euros^[5]:
#_ftn5. Based on the same forward curve, the Full Year 2016 fuel bill could amount to 5.7 billion euros⁵.

Total employee costs including temporary staff were up 2.5% to 2,013 million euros. They included a non-cash increase of 30 million euros in pension-related expenses at KLM due to changes in actuarial assumptions (lower discount rate). On a constant scope and pension-related expense basis, employee costs increased by 0.9%.

In addition to the 56 million euro provision for the Voluntary Departure Plans announced by Air France in February, the Group recorded under "non-current income and expenses" 71 million euros of additional restructuring provisions for the Voluntary Departure Plans implemented by KLM, notably within the framework of the restructuring of the cargo business.

EBITDAR amounted to 824 million euros, a reported decrease of 30 million euros.

In the First Half 2015, total revenues stood at 12.3 billion euros versus 12.0 billion euros in 2014, up 2.4%, but down 3.6% on a like-for-like basis. The fuel bill amounted to 3,141 million euros, a reported decrease of 1.5% and down 18.2% on a like-for-like basis.

Over the first six months, all the savings achieved on the fuel bill (positive 683 million euros excluding currency) were completely offset by pressure on unit revenues (negative 545 million euros excluding currency) and negative currency impacts (negative 135 million euros).

In the First Half 2015, EBITDA amounted to a positive 548 million euros, a decrease of 43 million euros. On a like-for-like basis, EBITDA increased by 92 million euros.

At 197 million euros, Maintenance delivered a good EBITDA performance, up 38 million euros, whereas Cargo EBITDA decreased by 81 million euros.

The operating result stood at -232 million euros versus -207 million euros in 2014, a 25 million euro decrease. Like-for-like, the operating result increased by 110 million euros, mainly as a result of the strong performance of the Passenger network business which improved 129 million euros like-for-like (see below).

The net result, group share stood at -638 million euros against -619 million euros a year ago. It included notably the non-current result related to the capital gain on the sale of Amadeus shares (+218 million euros), offset by the change in value of the hedging portfolio (-96 million euros), the unrealized foreign exchange loss (-237 million euros) and restructuring costs of 133 million euros. On an adjusted basis, the net result, group share stood at -427 million euros against -339 million euros in First Half 2014, an 88 million euro decrease.

At 30 June 2015, the trailing 12 months strike-adjusted return on capital employed² (ROCE) was 5.5%, up 0.5 point compared to 30 June 2014.

Passenger network^[6]:
#_ftn6 business

* Q2 2014 restated for change in revenue allocation (14 million euros transferred from "other passenger" to "scheduled passenger revenues")
       
Second Quarter 2015 total passenger network revenues amounted to 5,242 million euros, up 2.5% and down 4.3% like-for-like. The operating result of the passenger network business stood at 210 million euros, versus 255 million euros over the Second Quarter 2014. Like-for-like, the operating result was stable (-3 million euros).

The Group maintained its strict capacity discipline, keeping total passenger network capacity stable (+0.4%). Unit revenue per Available Seat Kilometer (RASK) remained volatile, down by 4.8% on a like-for-like basis. On the long-haul network, unit revenue was affected by the expected capacity-demand balances reflected in the unit revenue pressure observed on the different parts of the network, strengthened by the large drop in demand out of Brazil and Japan, which represent together around 10% of total capacity. In addition, several routes were affected by travel budget reductions implemented by oil and gas related customers, notably to Africa.

As planned, short and medium-haul point-to-point capacity (excluding the Paris and Amsterdam hubs) was further reduced by 14.1%, leading to a significant improvement in unit revenue of +8.1% like-for-like, whereas for hub-related short and medium-haul traffic, unit revenues were down -3.3% like-for-like.

* H1 2014 restated for change in revenue allocation (21 million euros transferred from "other passenger" to "scheduled passenger revenues")

In the First Half 2015, passenger network revenues amounted to 9,663 million euros, up 2.0% and down 3,3% on a like-for-like basis. The operating result of the passenger network business stood at
-112 million euros, versus -123 million euros in the First Half 2014, an improvement of 11 million euros and 129 million euros like-for-like.

Considering the pressure on unit revenues, the Group is adjusting its passenger network schedule for the Second Half, especially on the weakest routes to Brazil and Japan. In the Winter 2015-16 schedule, the Group plans to reduce capacity to Japan by 14%, to Brazil by 5% and to East Africa by 6%. Capacity should thus be flat in the Fourth Quarter, and Full Year capacity should only grow by 0.6%^[7]:
#_ftn7 vs. +1.1% planned in February.

Cargo business

The Group continued to restructure its Cargo activity to address the weak global trade and structural air cargo industry overcapacity. During Second Quarter 2015, full-freighter capacity was thus reduced by 26%, while belly capacity increased by 1.3%, leading to a decrease in total capacity of 5.7%. Revenue per Available Ton Kilometer (ATK) was nevertheless down by 13.8% like-for-like, reflecting the structural industry overcapacity.

The operating result stood at -78 million euros, a decrease of 29 million euros like-for-like.

First Half 2015 Cargo revenues amounted to 1,229 million euros, down 16.1% like-for-like. At -141 million euros, the operating result decreased by 44 million like-for-like.

Within the framework of Perform 2020, 3 Boeing 747s were retired in the Winter 2014-15 season, while all MD11s will be retired by June 2016. The Group plans to operate only 5 full-freighters by the end of 2016. This reduction should enable the full-freighter business to return to operating breakeven in 2017 (versus a strike-adjusted loss of 95 million euros in 2014). The Group recorded in its 30 June 2015 accounts provisions to cover the corresponding voluntary departure plans.

Maintenance business

Second Quarter 2015 third party maintenance revenues amounted to 396 million euros, up 38.5% and by 13.0% like-for-like. Revenues benefited not only from the strong dollar relative to the euro and from the contracts gained in previous years, but also from a favorable comparison base.

The operating result stood at 51 million euros, up 21 million euros year-on-year, and up 17 million euros like-for-like.

During the First Half 2015, third party maintenance revenues increased by 34.7% and by 13.4% like-for-like. At 86 million euros, the operating result improved by 34 million euros.

Over the period, the maintenance order book recorded a further 14% increase to reach a record high of 8.5 billion dollars, including several new B787 component support contracts. The Group expanded its service portfolio with an investment in a US engine parts trading business.

Transavia

* Q2 2014 restated for change in revenue allocation (12 million euros transferred from "other passenger" to "scheduled passenger revenues")

In the Second Quarter 2015, Transavia capacity was up by 7.1%, reflecting the accelerated development in France (capacity up by 22.5%). Traffic rose by 6.6%. The load factor remained high (90.3%) despite the increase in capacity. Both unit revenue per ASK and unit cost per ASK decreased by -4.4%, resulting in a stable operating result at -6 million euros.

* H1 2014 restated for change in revenue allocation (18 million euros transferred from "other passenger" to "scheduled passenger revenues")

In the First Half 2015, Transavia revenues amounted to 450 million euros, up 3.5%. The operating result stood at -75 million euros, a decrease of 11 million euros, due to the unit cost increase observed in the First Quarter, notably related to the seasonal capacity adjustments implemented in the Netherlands.

The rapid development of Transavia will continue in the Second Half of 2015. However, its revenue and profitability may be affected by its exposure to Tunisia, Morocco and Greece, representing all together 22% of Summer 2015 flights.

Other business: Catering

In the Second Quarter 2015, third party catering revenues amounted to 85 million euros, up 10.4%.The operating result stood at 6 million euros, up 1 million euros.

In the First Half 2015, third party catering revenues amounted to 160 million euros, up 6.7% on the back of positive commercial momentum in both France and internationally. The operating result stood at 5 million euros, up 4 million euros.

Financial situation

In the First Half 2015, the decrease of 43 million euros in EBITDA translated into a 37 million euro decrease in cash flow before change in WCR and cash out related to Voluntary Departure Plans. The Group disbursed 97 million euros for Voluntary Departure Plans. The change in Working Capital Requirement contributed 862 million euros to operating cash flow. Net investments before sale & lease-back transactions stood at 818 million euros. As a result, operating free cash flow reached 274 million euros, up 179 million euros compared to the First Half of 2014.

The operating free cash flow does not include free cash flow from financial investments, including the cash-in of 327 million euros from the sale of Amadeus shares in January. Neither does it include the 600 million euro hybrid bond issued in April, which contributed to the reduction in net debt.

Net debt amounted to 4.55 billion euros at 30 June 2015, versus 5.41 billion euros at 31 December 2014. Currencies had a significant 145 million euro negative impact on net debt, which was also affected by the requalification of some operating leases into financial leases for an amount of 128 million euros.

Excluding the impact of the pilot strike on EBITDAR, the trailing 12 months adjusted net debt/EBITDAR ratio stood at 3.8x at 30 June 2015, down 0.2 points compared to 31 December 2014, and down 0.2 points compared to 30 June 2014. In parallel, a 661 million euro convertible bond was reimbursed on 1^st April, reducing the diluted share count by more than 70 million shares to 370 million shares.

Thanks to the strong returns on pension plan assets and the rebound in discount rates during the First Half 2015, the balance sheet pension situation improved; it evolved from a net liability of 710 million euros at 31 December 2014 to a net liability of 343 million euros at 30 June 2015.

At 30 June 2015, equity, group share, amounted to -212 million euros, an improvement of 480 million euros over the First Half on the back a decrease of 265 million euros in the after tax net pension liability, a 433 million euros improvement in the fair value of the fuel hedging portfolio, and the 600 million euro hybrid bond issued in April, partially offset by the strong seasonality of results (net result of -638 million euros). The fair value of the fuel hedging portfolio remains however strongly negative, at around 820 million euros at 30 June 2015.

The Group continues to enjoy a good level of liquidity, with net cash² of 3.9 billion euros at 30 June 2015, and undrawn credit lines of 1.845 billion euros. During the First Half, the Group renewed its main credit lines with a wide pool of international banks.

Outlook

All the operational initiatives planned within the framework of the new strategic plan Perform 2020 are being negotiated and deployed.

Negotiations with KLM unions on labor productivity have been finalized. The agreement with the pilots' union will now be submitted for approval by its members.

Negotiations continue at Air France in line with a tight schedule aimed at reaching agreements by the end of September 2015.

However, as experienced in the First Half, in 2015, almost all of the expected savings on the fuel bill could be offset by unit revenue pressure and negative currency impacts. Considering the more challenging revenue environment, the Group has decided to accelerate the implementation of Perform 2020:

• launch of immediate cost-saving measures
• acceleration of all cost reduction initiatives

In addition, the Group has revised down its capacity plans for the Winter 2015-16 season.

For Full Year 2015, the Group maintains its key targets:

• unit cost improvement^{[8]:
  #_ftn8} in the 1% to 1.3% range
• net debt of around 4.4 billion euros at the end of 2015

*****

Limited review procedures were carried out by external auditors. Their limited review report was issued following the Board Meeting.

The results presentation is available at www.airfranceklm.com:
http://www.airfranceklm.com on 24 July 2015 from 7:15am CET.

An Analysts' meeting will be held on 24 July 2015 at 8:30am CET at the Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel hotel, 18, avenue de Suffren, Paris (15^th arrondissement).

A live broadcast of the Analysts' meeting will be available at www.airfranceklm.com:
http://www.airfranceklm.com (password: AKHH1) and by conference call.

To connect to the conference call, please dial:
     - France: +33 1 70 99 32 12 (Conference ID: 954231, password: AKH)
     - Netherlands: +31 20 7965 012 (Conference ID: 954231, password: AKH)
     - UK: +44 207 162 0177 (Conference ID: 954231, password: AKH)
     - US: +1 334 323 6203 (Conference ID: 954231, password: AKH)

To listen to a recording of the conference in English, dial:
- France: +33 1 70 99 35 29 (code: 954231)
- Netherlands: +31 20 7965 345 (code: 954231)
- UK: +44 20 7031 4064 (code: 954231)
- US: 1 954 334 0342 (code: 954231)

INCOME STATEMENT

*  Restated, see page 17

BALANCE SHEET

*  Restated, see page 17

*  Restated, see page 17

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

*  Restated, see page 17

KEY FINANCIAL INDICATORS

EBITDA and EBITDAR

*  Restated, see page 17

Restated net result, group share

*  Restated, see page 17

Return on capital employed (ROCE)

*  Restated, see page 17
** Restated for IFRIC 21, CityJet reclassified as discontinued operation.

Net debt

*  Restated, see page 17

Adjusted net debt and adjusted net debt/EBITDAR ratio

*  Restated, see page 17

Operating free cash flow

Unit cost: net cost per EASK

*  Restated, see page 17
** Passenger other revenues restated for change in revenue allocation (14 million euros transferred from "other passenger" to "scheduled passenger revenues" in Q2, 21 million euros in H1)
*** Includes a €59m reduction of the net periodic pension cost and a €120m increase in wages and salaries

INDIVIDUAL AIRLINE RESULTS

Air France

*  Restated, see page 17

KLM

*  Restated, see page 17
** KLM EBITDA and operating result are affected by a non-cash increase of 61 million euros in pension-related expenses
NB: Sum of individual airline results does not add up to Air France-KLM total due to intercompany eliminations at Group level.

Restatement of income statement for capitalized costs

To improve the readability of its financial statements, the Group has decided, as from January 1, 2015, to isolate the items relating to capitalized production in a single line of the income statement (within "other income and expenses") while they had previously been allocated by type of expenditure. The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2014 have been restated to facilitate comparison. The impact of this reclassification on the 2014 income statement is the following:

Modification in the conversion method of provisions in foreign currencies

The Group records provisions for future expenses in foreign currency, primarily for the restitution of aircraft under operating leases. A significant portion of these provisions is made to cover the purchase of spare parts to be purchased in US dollars whatever the functional currency of the entity. To facilitate analysis of the impacts linked to the dollar variation, the Group has decided, with effect from January 1, 2015, to isolate the foreign currency effect on provisions in "Other financial income and expenses" while it had hitherto been recorded in "Amortization, depreciation and provisions".

Moreover, the closing rate will be used to convert provisions at the closing date. Previously, the Group had used the average rate of the US dollar to convert maintenance provisions. The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2014 have been restated for reasons of comparison. The impacts of this restatement on the income statement are the following:

The impacts of this restatement on the balance sheet are the following:

GROUP FLEET AT 30 JUNE 2015