Skip to main content

AI assistant

Sign in to chat with this filing

The assistant answers questions, extracts KPIs, and summarises risk factors directly from the filing text.

SAS Earnings Release 2022

Nov 30, 2022

2961_rns_2022-11-30_5585d537-5d02-480e-ad9b-5c9cc102d6d7.html

Earnings Release

Open in viewer

Opens in your device viewer

Q4 2022: THE TRANSFORMATION PLAN PROGRESSES AND IMPORTANT GOALS ARE REACHED

Q4 2022: THE TRANSFORMATION PLAN PROGRESSES AND IMPORTANT GOALS ARE REACHED

During the fourth quarter, we have noted the highest number of passengers since

the pandemic started. Our capacity increased 15% compared with the third quarter

and grew 52% year-over-year. We are also proud to see that our Customer

Satisfaction Index is increasing, meaning that not only our valued customers are

continuing to choose us, but it also indicates that they are appreciating our

product offering.

Overall underlying demand for travel was healthy during the summer and the trend

continued through the fourth quarter, with an expected minor dip in October. We

are now entering the slower winter months but are preparing for another active

summer season in 2023 and are both rehiring as well as hiring to be able to meet

the expected increased demand going forward.

SAS continues to make progress in our transformation plan SAS FORWARD and we

reached important milestones in the Chapter 11 process during the fourth

quarter. In August, SAS secured USD 700 million in debtor-in-possession (DIP)

financing from Apollo Global Management. This substantial financing

commit[1]ment gives us a strong financial position to support our operations

throughout the Chapter 11 process. Over the past months, we have struck

agreements with aircraft

lessors regarding concessions and various cost-savings initiatives in line with

our objectives.

We look forward to continuing collaboration with all our stakeholders, to

succeeding with the SAS FORWARD plan and to becoming a competitive and

financially strong airline.

AUGUST 2022-OCTOBER 2022

· Revenue: MSEK 10,651 (5,762)

· Income before tax (EBT): MSEK -1,701 (-945)

· Income before tax and items affecting comparability: MSEK -1,626 (-911)

· Net income for the period: MSEK -1,238 (-744)

· Earnings per common share: SEK -0.17 (-0.12)

NOVEMBER 2021-OCTOBER 2022

· Revenue: MSEK 31,824 (13,958)

· Income before tax (EBT): MSEK -7,846 (-6,525)

· Income before tax and items affecting comparability: MSEK -7,941 (-6,382)

· Net income for the period: MSEK -7,048 (-6,523)

· Earnings per common share: SEK -0.97 (-0.94)

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS DURING THE QUARTER

· In the beginning of August, SAS entered into a debtor-in-possession ("DIP")

financing credit agreement for USD 700 million with funds managed by Apollo

Global Management. The initial tranche of USD 350 million was drawn in

September.

· SAS has signed a letter of support with Heart Aerospace for the option to

add their new electric aircraft to the SAS regional aircraft fleet.

· "Journeys That Matter" is the name of a new communication concept launched

in September.

· The SAS FORWARD plan is progressing and new agreements were reached on

amended terms and conditions for existing aircraft and equipment leases in the

quarter with ten lessors for 36 aircraft. SAS has also rejected a number of

lease contacts.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AFTER THE QUARTER

· Further agreements were reached regarding aircraft and equipment leases

after the end of the quarter (in total, agreements have been reached with 13

lessors for 46 aircraft).

· SAS currently targets to complete its court-supervised process in the U.S.

during the second half of 2023, the implementation of which is likely to entail

additional legal proceedings in other jurisdictions than the U.S. As a result,

there is no assurance that there will be any recovery for the shareholders of

SAS AB. SAS expects that its operations will be unaffected by such legal

proceedings and that it will continue to serve its customers as normal.

OUTLOOK

· The year-end report includes a financial outlook on p. 10

QUARTERLY RESULTS

The fourth quarter is yet another quarter where we have noted the highest number

of passengers since the pandemic started. Compared with the previous quarter,

passengers flying with SAS increased 13% and the flown load factor reached

approximately 77%. Our capacity increased 15% compared with the third quarter.

SAS needs to continue its transformation to adapt to the new market conditions

in order to be able to become more flexible, competitive and financially strong

for the long term. Earnings before tax ended at negative SEK 1.7 billion,

representing a quarter-on-quarter improvement of SEK 0.3 billion, or a year-on

-year decrease of SEK 0.8 billion. As with previous quarters in 2022, the

currencies and jet-fuel price have brought strong headwinds for our business.

Cost reductions across the business remain in focus to secure our cost

competitiveness. Total operating expenses during the quarter ended at SEK 10.7

billion and total operating revenue landed at SEK 10.7 billion for the quarter.

Total revenue increased 24% compared with the third quarter, a year-on-year

improvement of approximately SEK 4.9 billion, but still 21% below the fourth

quarter in 2019, which was unaffected by COVID-19.

The cash balance at the end of the quarter was SEK 8.7 billion. Operational cash

flow during the quarter amounted to an inflow of SEK 0.4 billion, compared with

an inflow of SEK 1.1 billion for the same period last year.

UPDATE ON PROGRESS WITH OUR TRANSFORMATION PLAN SAS FORWARD

SAS FORWARD is a comprehensive business trans[1]formation plan that was launched

in conjunction with the publication of the first quarter report for FY 2022 at

the end of February. The aim of the plan is to secure long-term competitiveness

for SAS in the global aviation industry. The plan aims to strengthen our

financial position and achieve a sustainable cost structure with an annual cost

reduction of approximately SEK 7.5 billion. As part of SAS FORWARD, we also plan

to raise at least SEK 9.5 billion in new equity and convert more

than SEK 20 billion of debt into equity.

SAS has made important progress in implementing the SAS FORWARD plan, having

identified the full value of the SEK 7.5 billion target in reduced annual costs

and we have continued to invest in our digital capabilities and sustainability

efforts. The 5.5-year collective bargaining agreements reached between SAS and

the SAS Scandinavia pilots' unions in July are also a key element of SAS

FORWARD. These important agreements have resulted in increased flexibility and

productivity, but are still subject to approval by the US court. SAS also

received support for the plan from the Swedish, Danish and Norwegian

governments. All three states have indicated an intention to convert SAS debt

and hybrids into equity, subject to certain conditions including regulatory

approvals. Denmark has also published that, potentially, it may invest new

capital, subject to all stakeholders' participation in SAS FORWARD. However,

much remains to be done.

To accelerate the implementation of key elements of the plan, SAS voluntarily

filed for Chapter 11 in the U.S. on July 5. Chapter 11 is a legal process for

financial restructuring conducted under U.S. federal court supervision. It has

previously been used by a number of large international airlines to restructure.

Through this process, SAS aims to reach agreements with key stakeholders,

restructure our debt obligations, renegotiate our fleet contracts and emerge

with a significant capital injection. SAS' operations and flight schedule are

unaffected by the Chapter 11 filing and we continue to serve our customers as

normal. SAS targets to complete its court-supervised process in the U.S. during

the second half of 2023, the implementation of which is likely to entail

additional legal proceedings in other jurisdictions than the U.S. As a result,

there is no assurance that there will be any recovery for the shareholders of

SAS AB.

During the fourth quarter, SAS took important positive steps in the process by

reaching agreements with several lessors to amend the terms of existing aircraft

and equipment lease agreements. As of the date of publication of this year-end

report, SAS has reached agreements with a total of 13 lessors, representing 46

aircraft. SAS has also rejected a number of lease contacts. For additional

information, please refer to Note 1. This constitutes a major step in

reconfiguring the fleet and achieving the SEK 7.5 billion in annual cost savings

under the SAS FORWARD plan.

SAS SECURES USD 700 MILLION IN DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION FINANCING

In August, SAS secured USD 700 million, or approximately SEK 7.0 billion, in

debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing from Apollo Global Management. DIP

financing is a specialized type of bridge financing used by businesses that are

restructuring through a Chapter 11 process. The DIP financing, along with cash

generated from our ongoing operations, enables SAS

to continue meeting its obligations throughout the Chapter 11 process.

A NEW COMMUNICATION CONCEPT IS LAUNCHED

The pandemic brought about changes in demand as well as travel patterns. In

order to stay relevant in the overall travel market we launched a new

communication concept in September. The campaign highlights the importance of

traveling and represents SAS' first brand campaign since 2020 and is called

"Journeys that matter." The new communication concept speaks to this new, wider

target group. It emphasizes that traveling gives us new perspectives,

experiences and lifelong memories. The revised and updated visual identity adds

new warm and personal elements while retaining our characteristic core.

THE COMING WINTER SEASON

We have entered the winter season, and we remain cautious due to the prevailing

uncertainties around the world. Traffic to and from Asia remains affected by

COVID-19 restrictions as well as by the geopolitical situation in Eastern

Europe, and Russian airspace remains closed.

In comparison with last winter, SAS has noted a general increase in demand for

travel both to classic ski destinations and to warmer holiday destinations. For

the winter program SAS continues to open new routes and schedules more flights

to popular destinations. During the coming winter, SAS will operate more than

170 routes to 90 destinations. More capacity will be

added and SAS is returning to popular winter destinations such as Miami,

Sälen/Trysil, Innsbruck and Salzburg.

LOOKING AHEAD

Looking ahead to the next summer season we are preparing for substantial

recruitments and rehirings that have been initiated in order to meet the

expected increased future demand.

The SAS FORWARD plan includes positioning SAS as a leader in sustainable

aviation. SAS will continue to invest in modern fuel-efficient aircraft,

sustainable aviation fuels, emerging technologies, and sustainable products and

services. By 2025 we will reduce our CO\2 \emissions by at least 25% compared

with 2005. During the quarter, we signed an important letter of support with

Heart Aerospace for the option to add their new electric aircraft, ES-30, to the

SAS regional aircraft fleet. This has the potential of being a significant step

on SAS' sustainability journey, enabling zero-emission flights on routes within

Scandinavia.

We appreciate the feedback we receive from our passengers. We are looking to

increase personalization and improve our digital tools, as well as develop

partnerships to increase our customer offering. We will continue to launch new

exciting routes and will increase

our frequencies.

We are engaging with other stakeholders as part of the next phase of the Chapter

11 process, which includes launching an equity solicitation process to obtain

the capital necessary to implement our SAS FORWARD plan and working to build

consensus for a plan of reorganization.

My colleagues at SAS are working really hard and are doing their very best to

ensure that every aspect of the customer journey is as good as it possibly can

be. I am extremely grateful for all their efforts.

As always, we look forward to welcoming our customers on board our aircraft.

Anko van der Werff

President and CEO

Stockholm, November 30, 202

For further information, please contact:

SAS Press office, +46 8 797 29 44

Louise Bergström, VP Investor Relations, +46 70 997 0493

This is information that SAS AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU

Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication by Louise

Bergström at 8:00 p.m. CEST on November 30, 2022.

SAS, Scandinavia's leading airline, with main hubs in Copenhagen, Oslo and

Stockholm, flies to destinations in Europe, USA and Asia.Spurred by a

Scandinavian heritage and sustainability values, SAS aims to be the global

leader in sustainable aviation. We will reduce total carbon emissions 25 percent

by 2025, by using more sustainable aviation fuel and our modern fleet with fuel

-efficient aircraft. In addition to flight operations, SAS offers ground

handling services, technical maintenance and air cargo services. SAS is a

founding member of the Star AllianceT, and together with its partner airlines

offers a wide network worldwide.