The skies are clearing for tour operator Transat AT, which experienced its first month of profitability in more than two years in July, but the air carrier is preparing “in case” the pandemic causes further turbulence, so it plans to generate profits on an annual basis “no later than” in 2024.
“Our customers have clearly decided to start traveling again and the surge in traveler numbers we’ve seen since the previous quarter is now well established,” company president and CEO Annick Guérard said Thursday. during a conference call with analysts to discuss third quarter results.
Mme Guérard noted that demand is particularly strong in European markets, but the pace of recovery is “slightly slower” in domestic and cross-border markets, where travelers are booking more “at the last minute” and supply is tight. bigger.
The instruction to fasten your seatbelt remains on for the carrier, which still foresees turbulence during the next quarters. “We have a few bumpy quarters ahead,” Chief Financial Officer Patrick Bui said, adding that cash will stop being written in red ink by 2024 at the latest. This is why Transat AT reached an agreement with Ottawa in July, to have access to additional liquidity of 100 million, and why it postponed deadlines with its creditors for one year.
These are “unprecedented” times that require “additional resilience”, Mr Bui explained, admitting that they have “scenarios of the future which may necessitate the use of this line of credit”. His boss then intervened to ensure that the company does not believe that she will have to use it. “We want to be careful,” she said. You never know what can happen with COVID. So we have him by our side just in case. »
Third quarter losses
Transat AT reported an operating loss of 93.2 million for the third quarter of 2022, compared to a loss of 98.4 million in the corresponding quarter of fiscal year 2021. On the other hand, Transat posted a net loss adjusted by $120.9 million, or $3.20 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2022, compared to $115.6 million, or $3.06 per diluted share, in 2021. Net loss attributable to shareholders increased is established at 106.5 million, or $2.82 per diluted share, compared to 138.1 million or $3.66 per diluted share, during the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year.
During the same period, the company’s revenue increased by 495.8 million, but the carrier recalls that the third quarter of 2021 was almost without activity. Compared to 2019, before the outbreak of the COVID-19 crisis, revenues for the quarter decreased by 27%, or 190.6 million. Transat AT explains that the improvement in operating income for the third quarter of 2022 was curbed by a significant increase in fuel prices, 112% compared to 2021.
Regarding the upcoming winter season, Air Transat reports that its capacity is equal to that deployed in 2019 and that to date, load factors are similar to those of 2019 while prices are on the rise.
The price of fuel remains “a major obstacle,” said analyst Cameron Doerksen of National Bank Financial in a note. Mr. Doerksen, however, noted that his “main concern” is the company’s ability to seek financing. “The company has postponed major debt maturities to April 2024, but these loans will eventually need to be refinanced, and we believe additional equity will be required,” he wrote.