Energy Watch

AirGuide Business, May 25, 2009

British Airways

British Airways slumped to a record loss, nearly doubled its debt pile and abandoned its dividend, adding the tough conditions made it impossible to give any guidance for the current period. Europe's third-biggest airline by revenue posted operating losses of GBP220 million pounds (USDUSD 347.5 million) on Friday, compared to a profit of GBP875 million in 2007/08. It had earlier in the year forecast a loss of GBP150 million, not including restructuring costs of around GBP80 million as the company slashes its workforce. BA scrapped its dividend, just a year after it was reinstated with much fanfare for the first time since 2001. The company added that there would be no guidance for the current year due to difficulty forecasting sales. Blue Oar airlines analyst Douglas McNeill said that on a positive note the airline would get a boost from a GBP400 million cheaper fuel bill in 2009/10. The airline reported a full-year fuel bill this time around close to GBP3 billion, up 44.5 percent from the previous year. BA has suffered over the past year as its core business travel passengers between London and New York cut down on air travel due to the economic downturn. May 22, 2009

Emirates Airlines

Record fuel prices in the first six months of last year and the economic climate hit Emirates Airline, where 2008 net profits were down 80 percent to 982 million dirhams (USD 268 million). At group level, profits were down 72 percent to 1.49 billion dirhams despite revenues rising more than 10 percent to 46.3 billion dirhams. Emirates Group chief executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum says "the outlook is not improving" but "our development plans remain unchanged". May 21, 2009

Emirates Airlines

The Emirates Group has blamed an 80.4 percent slump in airline profits on "unprecedented" fuel costs and falling demand. Airline operations brought in a profit of AED982m (U194m) for the year ending March 31, down from the previous year's record AED5bn (U989m). Overall the group recorded a net profit of AED1.49bn (U295m) compared to AED5.3bn (U1.1bn) year-on-year. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Emirates Group chairman and ceo, said the outlook for the coming year was "not improving" with business and first class demand "still weak in many markets". But Emirates said it had remained profitable "despite unprecedented challenges for the airline and travel industry." www.emirates.com May 21, 2009

Hawker

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) is taking the lead in sustainability among aircraft manufacturing companies. HBC organized the formation of the Wichita Sustainability Coalition, implemented a sustainability program throughout all areas of its business and expanded its company recycling program. In addition, the Beechcraft Bonanza G36 was the first to fly on Swift Sustainable Fuel and among the first to fly on unleaded fuel. May 18, 2009

Optimized Systems, EasyJet

Optimized Systems and Solutions Inc. (OSyS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rolls-Royce plc, is to help EasyJet further improve its fuel efficiency. Business Wire - OSyS will provide fuel usage analysis, management and optimization for easyJet. OSyS will provide fuel usage analysis, management and optimization for easyJetOs fleet of more than 170 aircraft. easyJet is a new customer for OSyS. Fuel management and optimization allows airlines to drive operational efficiencies in terms of fuel usage, mitigate environmental impact and measure improvement initiatives. May 20, 2009