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(RNS) 2009-11-06 07:01
British Airways PLC - Half Yearly Report
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RNS Number : 0831C British Airways PLC 06 November 2009

INTERIM MANAGEMENT REPORT

Period April 1, 2009 - September 30, 2009 (Unaudited)

STRUCTURAL CHANGE NECESSARY TO SECURE LONG TERM PROFITABILITY

British Airways today (November 6) presented its interim management report for the six months ended September 30, 2009.

Period highlights:

  • OPERATING LOSS OF £111 MILLION (2008: PROFIT OF £140 MILLION)

  • LOSS BEFORE TAX OF £292 MILLION (£244 MILLION BEFORE RESTRUCTURING COSTS)

  • REVENUE DOWN 13.7 PER CENT (REVENUE BEFORE EXCHANGE DOWN 20.2 PER CENT)

  • TOTAL OPERATING COSTS DOWN 8.7 PER CENT

  • UNIT COSTS DOWN 5.2 PER CENT

    British Airways' chief executive Willie Walsh, said:

    "Aviation remains in recession with IATA predicting that the industry will lose $11 billion this year. We were quick to respond to the crisis by taking out excess capacity and, at the same time, driving down unit costs by 5.2 per cent. This demonstrates how well our costs have been managed in the first half and it's imperative we continue to deliver on our plans to reduce costs further in the second half. With revenue likely to be £1 billion lower this year, we can't stand still and further cost reduction is essential.

    "We reduced summer schedule capacity by 3.5 per cent, our costs are some £400 million lower and manpower has been cut by 1900 through reduced overtime, increased part time working and targeted voluntary redundancy. Total liquidity of some £4 billion puts us in a strong position.

    "The global airline industry is facing continued pressure on yields highlighting a significant shift within the industry. We will introduce further structural change in the second half to secure the long term future for our business. We are cutting winter capacity by 6 per cent and making further manpower reductions of 3000 by March 2010 and permanent changes to the way we run our business.

    "We're continuing to innovate with new services for customers to strengthen our position as the leading global premium airline. We launched our London City to JFK all-business flights and they're proving popular with customers with booking levels ahead of expectations. More widely, we're offering customers the option to pay to reserve seats more than 24 hours in advance and have seen an excellent response to this new initiative. Upgrading our cabins continues and, with our Club World refurbishment nearly complete, we will introduce a new First cabin in the New Year.

    "Premium leisure demand has been strong during the last six months and we're investing in new leisure destinations with six new routes starting this winter.

    "We continue to reap the benefits of Terminal 5 following our first full summer in the terminal. We've had record punctuality throughout the summer and this continued last month with our best ever October. Our baggage performance has hit record levels too and we continue to see high customer satisfaction ratings".

    Financial review:

    Total revenue in the period was down 13.7 per cent.

    Passenger revenue was down 13.6 per cent, on capacity down 3.0 per cent. Yields were down 12.2 per cent, 18.2 per cent excluding exchange, largely as a result of lower year on year surcharges and sales mix within cabin class.

    Our cargo business continues to be impacted by the worldwide decline in demand for airfreight although its performance compares favourably with market trends which saw volume declines of some 13 per cent during the period. Cargo revenue declined by 30.9 per cent, with cargo volumes, measured in cargo tonne kilometres, decreasing by 8.1 per cent, reflecting some stabilisation in declining volumes. Cargo yields declined by 24.8 per cent driven by significantly lower levels of fuel surcharges, in line with lower fuel prices and significant market price declines.

    Operating costs were down 8.7 per cent, despite the weakening of sterling compared to the same period last year. Fuel costs for the period were down 17.8 per cent on last year. Other operating costs decreased by 4.3 per cent due to the continued delivery of the cost reduction initiatives launched last October. Operating costs include a charge of £48 million for restructuring. Unit costs are down 5.2 per cent. Excluding fuel, the impact of exchange and restructuring costs, our unit costs are down 5.5 per cent.

    Non operating costs include £100 million of pension costs and net finance costs of £65 million.

    Loss before tax for the period was £292 million.

    The tax rate for the period was 29 per cent.

    Our financial position is strong. Our liquidity position at the end of September was £2 billion, including £1,507 million of cash and some £460 million of general facilities. In addition we have £2 billion of committed aircraft facilities.

    The increase in reserves is primarily driven by the retranslation of foreign debt and the marked to market movement on fuel and currency hedges of £454 million. The equity component of the convertible bond raised in August 2009 adds a further £84 million to reserves. Net debt at the end of September was £2,362 million, a decrease of £20 million from the end of March 2009.

    The Directors declare that no dividend be paid for the period ended September 30, 2009.

    Business review:

    We remain committed to our key business priorities.


    Upgraded customer experience

    We launched our first ever longhaul flights from London City airport onboard an all-business class, 32-seater Airbus A318. Customers on the new service are the first to be able to send emails, texts and use the internet on transatlantic flights via an in-flight mobile communications service.

    All of our Boeing 747s and 43 of our 46 Boeing 777s are fitted with our multi-award winning Club World cabin. The embodiment schedule for the remaining three aircraft is on track for completion by April 2010.

    We received three top accolades at the Business Traveller Awards 2009 winning Best Airline, Best Shorthaul Carrier and Best Frequent Flyer Programme and were also named Best Business Class airline by readers of Conde Nast Traveller magazine.

    We launched new flights from Heathrow to Las Vegas and Gatwick to Montego Bay, Punta Cana, Male and Sharm El Sheikh and moved Gibraltar and Pisa services from Gatwick to Heathrow. Flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck start in December.

    Our flights to Sydney, Singapore and Bangkok moved from Heathrow Terminal 4 into new facilities at Terminal 3 where we opened our new First lounge. At the same time, Qantas also moved its flights into Terminal 3. This means that all our oneworld alliance partners are based in the same terminal, helping to ensure smoother connections for customers travelling on the oneworld network through Heathrow.

    We continue to receive consistently high customer satisfaction and recommendation ratings with more than 70 per cent of customers highly satisfied with the airline.
    Capacity and fleet

    We have successfully reduced capacity in line with demand and seen our seat factor improve by 1.1 percentage points to 80.6 per cent in the first half.

    We completed discussions with Airbus on rescheduled A380 deliveries. The first A380 will arrive in 2013 with the last aircraft arriving in 2016.

    The first two aircraft in our subsidiary BA CityFlyer's new fleet of Embraer efficiency jets went into service from London City airport.

    Competitive cost base

    Following yesterday's court outcome, we will go ahead with changes to cabin crew working on November 16. The changes for existing cabin crew involve no alteration to any part of their contract of employment. There are no reductions in base salary and payment of incremental increases, worth between two and seven per cent for more than 10,000 crew, are going ahead. Overall, 75 per cent of existing crew benefit from these incremental increases. We urge Unite to withdraw its plans for an industrial action ballot and resume discussions with us on other ways of ensuring that we get into the right shape to secure long-term profitability in the interests of our customers and all our staff.

    We continue to review costs and our cost reduction initiatives in all business areas are in line with our plans. This will provide us with some permanent reductions that we will see next year.

    Corporate responsibility

    Willie Walsh attended a United Nations leadership forum on climate change in New York. He called on world leaders to support an unprecedented agreement between airlines, aircraft manufacturers, airports and air navigation providers that IATA will present to the Copenhagen climate change summit in December.

    Earlier this year we launched the Backing Britain campaign to help British businesses fight the recession. We've now launched the US version, "Face to Face", a long term campaign to boost economic growth in the United States by offering 1000 American business people the opportunity to travel overseas on BA flights to conduct face-to-face meetings with their business partners.

    Principal risks and uncertainties

    During the period we have continued to maintain and operate our structure and processes to identify, assess and manage risks. The principal risks and uncertainties affecting us, detailed on pages 32 and 33 of the March 31, 2009 Annual Report and Accounts, remain relevant for the remaining six months of the year. The risks include brand reputation, competition, consolidation/deregulation, debt funding, employee and industrial relations, environment, fuel price and currency fluctuation, fuel supply, global extended economic slowdown/credit crunch, government intervention, Heathrow operational constraints, key supplier risk, pensions and safety/security incident.

    Related parties

    Related party disclosures are given in Note 20 to the condensed consolidated financial information.

    Trading Outlook

    IATA has forecast a 15% decline in revenue for the industry this year. Although this will be partially offset by the fall in oil price, IATA has recently revised their global airline loss forecast by $2 billion to $11 billion for this year. Our traffic volumes and yields have stabilised compared to a very low base. We are continuing with our cost reduction initiatives to help offset the declines in revenue.

    We continue to focus on excellent customer service to ensure we are the leading global premium airline.

    ends


    November 6, 2009 125/LG/09

    Note to Editors:

    There will be a webcast of the analyst slide presentation at 9am (GMT) available through our website www.bashares.com.

    Certain information included in these statements is forward-looking and involves risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward looking statements.

    Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, projections relating to results of operations and financial conditions and the Company's plans and objectives for future operations, including, without limitation, discussions of the Company's Business Plan programmes, expected future revenues, financing plans and expected expenditures and divestments. All forward-looking statements in this report are based upon information known to the Company on the date of this report. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    It is not reasonably possible to itemise all of the many factors and specific events that could cause the Company's forward looking statements to be incorrect or that could otherwise have a material adverse effect on the future operations or results of an airline operating in the global economy.

    The Annual Report and Accounts for the financial year 2008-09, which is available online at www.bashares.com, included a section discussing the principal risks and uncertainties which could cause such forward-looking statements to be incorrect.

    Investor Relations - Waterside (HAA3), PO Box 365, Harmondsworth, Middlesex, UB7 0GB

    Tel: +44 (0) 20 8738 6947

    Fax: +44 (0) 20 8738 9602

    HALF YEAR RESULTS 2009-2010

    (unaudited)

    OPERATING AND FINANCIAL

    STATISTICS (Note 1)
    Six months ended
    September 30 Better/
    2009 2008 (Worse)


    Revenue £m 4,102 4,754 (13.7)%


    Operating (loss)/profit before £m (63) 185 nm

    restructuring
    Operating (loss)/profit £m (111) 140 nm


    (Loss)/profit before tax £m (292) 52 nm


    Loss after tax £m (208) (42) nm


    Basic earnings/(loss) per p (18.8) (4.3) nm

    share
    Six months ended
    September 30 Better/
    2009 2008 (Worse)
    Restated (Note 2)

    TOTAL GROUP OPERATIONS

    TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY


    Revenue passenger kilometres 59,998 60,974 (1.6)%

    (RPK) (m)
    Available seat kilometres 74,412 76,726 (3.0)%

    (ASK) (m)
    Passenger load factor (%) 80.6 79.5 1.1 pts
    Cargo tonne kilometres (CTK) 2,240 2,437 (8.1)%

    (m)
    Revenue tonne kilometres (RTK) 8,208 8,136 0.9 %

    (m)
    Actual tonne kilometres (ATK) 11,091 11,513 (3.7)%

    (m)
    Overall load factor (%) 74.0 70.7 3.3 pts
    Passengers carried (000) 17,743 18,212 (2.6)%
    Tonnes of cargo carried (000) 377 404 (6.7)%

    FINANCIAL


    Operating margin (%) (2.7) 2.9 (5.6)pts
    Passenger revenue per RPK (p) 5.99 6.82 (12.2)%
    Passenger revenue per ASK (p) 4.83 5.42 (10.9)%
    Cargo revenue per CTK (p) 11.21 14.90 (24.8)%
    Total traffic revenue per RTK 46.83 55.58 (15.7)%

    (p)
    Total traffic revenue per ATK 34.66 39.28 (11.8)%

    (p)
    Total expenditure on 51.33 56.71 9.5 %

    operations per RTK (p)
    Total expenditure on 37.98 40.08 5.2 %

    operations per ATK (p)
    Average fuel price before fuel 172.46 375.42 54.1 %

    hedging (US cents/US gallon) TOTAL AIRLINE OPERATIONS (Note

    3)

    OPERATIONS


    Average Manpower Equivalent 38,704 42,330 8.6 %

    (MPE)


    ATKs per MPE (000) 286.6 272.0 5.4 %
    Aircraft in service at period 246 250 (4)

    end nm: Not meaningful Note 1: Statistics relate to continuing operations unless otherwise stated. Note 2: Restated to include frequent flyer passenger numbers. Note 3: Excludes non-airline activity companies, principally Airmiles Travel Promotions Limited,
    BA Holidays Limited and Speedbird Insurance Company Limited.

    CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT (unaudited)
    Six months ended
    September 30 Better/
    £ million 2009 2008 (Worse)

    Traffic revenue
    Passenger 3,593 4,159 (13.6)%
    Cargo 251 363 (30.9)%
    3,844 4,522 (15.0)%
    Other revenue 258 232 11.2 %
    REVENUE 4,102 4,754 (13.7)%


    Employee costs (excluding restructuring) 1,031 1,116 7.6 %
    Restructuring 48 45 (6.7)%
    Depreciation, amortisation and impairment 360 347 (3.7)%
    Aircraft operating lease costs 33 36 8.3 %
    Fuel and oil costs 1,228 1,494 17.8 %
    Engineering and other aircraft costs 247 244 (1.2)%
    Landing fees and en route charges 322 305 (5.6)%
    Handling charges, catering and other operating 529 510 (3.7)%

    costs
    Selling costs 144 188 23.4 %
    Currency differences - 28 nm
    Accommodation, ground equipment and IT costs 271 301 10.0 %


    TOTAL EXPENDITURE ON OPERATIONS 4,213 4,614 8.7 %
    OPERATING (LOSS)/PROFIT (111) 140 nm


    Fuel derivative gains/(losses) 5 (31) nm
    Finance costs (76) (91) 16.5 %
    Finance income 11 58 (81.0)%
    Net financing expense relating to pensions (100) (13) nm
    Retranslation income/(charges) on currency 6 (12) nm

    borrowings
    (Loss)/profit on sale of property, plant and (9) 2 nm

    equipment and investments Share of post-tax (losses)/profits in associates accounted for using
    the equity method (19) 2 nm
    Net income/(charge) relating to available-for-sale 1 (3) nm

    financial assets
    (LOSS)/PROFIT BEFORE TAX (292) 52 nm
    Tax 84 (94) nm
    LOSS AFTER TAX (208) (42) nm

    Attributable to:
    Equity holders of the parent (217) (49) nm
    Non-controlling interest 9 7 28.6 %
    (208) (42) nm

    EARNINGS/(LOSS) PER SHARE


    Basic (18.8)p (4.3)p nm
    Diluted (18.8)p (4.3)p nm

    nm: Not meaningful

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

    (unaudited)
    Six months ended
    September 30
    £ million 2009 2008


    Net loss for the period (208) (42)

    Other comprehensive income:
    Exchange and other (losses)/gains (21) 4
    Net gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges 454 (131)
    Share of other movements in reserves of associates 13 (14)
    Net loss on available-for-sale financial assets (2)
    Available-for-sale assets - gains recycled to the (4)

    income statement
    Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period 238 (189)

    (net of tax) Attributable to:
    Equity holders of the parent 229 (196)
    Non-controlling interest 9 7

    238 (189)

    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (unaudited)
    September 30 March 31
    £ million 2009 2009

    NON-CURRENT ASSETS

    Property, plant and equipment
    Fleet 5,932 5,996
    Property 948 971
    Equipment 247 266
    7,127 7,233

    Intangible assets
    Goodwill 40 40
    Landing rights 203 205
    Software 23 22

    266 267


    Investments in associates 194 209
    Available-for-sale financial assets 60 65
    Employee benefit assets 393 340
    Derivative financial instruments 8 3
    Prepayments and accrued income 26 25


    TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 8,074 8,142

    NON-CURRENT ASSETS HELD FOR SALE 16 -

    CURRENT ASSETS AND RECEIVABLES


    Inventories 89 127
    Trade receivables 508 530
    Other current assets 229 268
    Derivative financial instruments 21 40
    Other current interest-bearing deposits 1,088 979
    Cash and cash equivalents 419 402
    1,507 1,381


    TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS AND RECEIVABLES 2,354 2,346


    TOTAL ASSETS 10,444 10,488

    SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Issued share capital 288 288
    Share premium 937 937
    Investment in own shares (6) (9)
    Other reserves 742 430


    TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 1,961 1,646

    NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST 200 200


    TOTAL EQUITY 2,161 1,846

    NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES


    Interest-bearing long-term borrowings 3,240 3,074
    Employee benefit obligations 199 191
    Provisions for deferred tax 746 652
    Other provisions 242 256
    Derivative financial instruments 23 123
    Other long-term liabilities 202 204


    TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 4,652 4,500

    CURRENT LIABILITIES


    Current portion of long-term borrowings 629 689
    Trade and other payables 2,676 2,796
    Derivative financial instruments 143 471
    Current tax payable 6 4
    Short-term provisions 177 182


    TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 3,631 4,142


    TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 10,444 10,488

    CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT(unaudited)
    Six months ended
    September 30 Better/
    £ million 2009 2008 (Worse)

    CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES


    Operating (loss)/profit (111) 140 (251)
    Depreciation, amortisation and impairment 360 347 13
    Operating cash flow before working capital changes 249 487 (238)
    Movement in inventories, trade and other receivables (31) (105) 74
    Movement in trade and other payables and provisions (80) (45) (35)
    Payments in respect of restructuring (34) (5) (29)
    Payment of legal fees and civil claims in settlement (17) (17)

    of competition investigation
    Other non-cash movement (1) 1 (2)
    Cash generated from operations 86 333 (247)


    Interest paid (61) (84) 23
    Taxation 7 (4) 11

    NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 32 245 (213)

    CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES


    Purchase of property, plant and equipment (307) (217) (90)
    Purchase of intangible assets (4) (15) 11
    Proceeds from sale of other investments 3 (3)
    Interest received 12 67 (55)
    Insurance recoveries for write-off of Boeing 777 13 (13)

    aircraft
    Purchase of subsidiary (net of cash acquired) (33) 33
    Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 50 50
    Repayment of loan notes 7 7
    Dividends received 16 (16)
    (Decrease)/ Increase in other current (109) 87 (196)

    interest-bearing deposits

    NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES (351) (79) (272)

    CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES


    Proceeds from long-term borrowings 693 91 602
    Proceeds from equity portion of convertible debt 84 84
    Repayments of borrowings (35) (86) 51
    Payment of finance lease liabilities (394) (134) (260)
    Exercise of share options 3 3
    Dividends paid (58) 58
    Distributions made to holders of perpetual (9) (7) (2)

    securities

    NET CASH FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES 342 (194) 536


    Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents 23 (28) 51
    Net foreign exchange differences (6) 84 (90)
    Cash and cash equivalents at April 1 402 683 (281)

    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT SEPTEMBER 30 419 739 (320)

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

    (unaudited) For the six months ended September 30, 2009
    Invest- Total
    ment share- Non-
    Issued Share in own Other holders' controlling Total
    £ million capital premium shares reserves* equity interest equity


    At April 1, 2009 288 937 (9) 430 1,646 200 1,846


    Total comprehensive income for 229 229 9 238

    the period (net of tax)
    Equity component of 84 84 84

    convertible bond**
    Cost of share-based payment 2 2 2
    Exercise of share options 3 (3)
    Distributions made to holders (9) (9)

    of perpetual securities
    At September 30, 2009 288 937 (6) 742 1,961 200 2,161

  • Closing balance includes retained earnings of £720 million. ** After deduction of transaction costs of £2 million. For the six months ended September 30,

    2008


    Invest- Total
    ment share- Non-
    Issued Share in own Other holders' controlling Total
    £ million capital premium shares reserves* equity interest equity


    At March 31, 2008 288 937 (10) 1,818 3,033 200 3,233

    Opening Balance Adjustments:
    Adoption of IFRIC 13 (206) (206) (206)
    Adoption of IFRIC 14 235 235 235
    At April 1, 2008 288 937 (10) 1,847 3,062 200 3,262
    Total comprehensive loss for (196) (196) 7 (189)

    the period (net of tax)
    Cost of share-based payment 1 1 1
    Exercise of share options 1 1 1
    Net dividends (56) (56) (56)
    Distributions made to holders (7) (7)

    of perpetual securities
    At September 30, 2008 288 937 (9) 1,596 2,812 200 3,012

  • Closing balance includes retained earnings of £1,262 million.

    NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

    For the six months ended September 30, 2009


    1. Corporate Information

    The Group's interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended September 30, 2009 were authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on November 5, 2009. British Airways Plc (the Company) is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales. The Company's ordinary shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange.


    2. BASIS OF PREPARATION

    The basis of preparation and accounting policies set out in the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended March 31, 2009 have been applied in the preparation of these interim condensed consolidated financial statements, with the exceptions disclosed in note 3. These are in accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs)* as adopted by the European Union (EU) and with those of the Standing Interpretations issued by the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). References to 'IFRS' hereafter should be construed as references to IFRSs as adopted by the EU.

    These interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules (DTR) of the Financial Services Authority and with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34, 'Interim Reporting'.

  • FOR THE PURPOSES OF THESE STATEMENTS IFRS ALSO INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS.


    3. Accounting Policies

    The accounting policies and methods of calculation adopted are consistent with those of the annual financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2009, as described in those annual financial statements, except as discussed below.

    The Group adopted IFRS 7 (Amended) 'Financial instruments: Disclosure' on April 1, 2009. The amendment is effective for financial years beginning on or after January 1, 2009 and requires enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements and liquidity risk. Adoption of the amendment does not require the restatement of comparative information and the enhanced disclosures will be presented in the annual financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2010.

    The Group adopted IAS 1 (Revised) 'Presentation of financial statements' on April 1, 2009. The amendment is effective for financial years beginning on or after January 1, 2009 and requires separate presentation of owner and non-owner transactions. As a result, a statement of comprehensive income has been included in the primary statements which includes details of non-owner transactions. Non-owner transactions are recognised as a single line in the statement of changes in equity.

    See the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended March 31, 2009 for disclosures of new standards, amendments and interpretations which have been adopted, none of which have had a significant effect on the reported results or financial position of the Group for the period ended September 30, 2009.


    4. SEASONALITY OF OPERATIONS

    Due to the seasonal nature of the airline industry, higher revenues and operating profits are usually expected in the first half of the financial year than in the latter six months. Higher revenues during the first six months are mainly attributed to the increased demand for travel during the summer holiday season. The six months to September 30, 2009 have been severely impacted by the economic downturn.


    5. SEGMENT INFORMATION
    a. Business segments

    The Group's network passenger and cargo operations are managed as a single business unit. The Management Board makes resource allocation decisions based on route profitability, which considers aircraft type and route economics, with only limited reference to the strength of the cargo business. The objective in making resource allocation decisions is to optimise consolidated financial results. While the operations of BA European Limited (OpenSkies) and BA Cityflyer Limited (CityFlyer) are considered to be separate operating segments, their activities are considered to be sufficiently similar in nature to aggregate the two segments and report them together with the network passenger and cargo operations. Therefore, based on the way the Group treats the network passenger and cargo operations, and the manner in which resource allocation decisions are made, the Group has only one reportable operating segment for financial reporting purposes, reported as the 'airline business'.

    Financial results from other operating segments are below the quantitative threshold for determining reportable operating segments and consist primarily of The Mileage Company Limited, British Airways Holidays Limited and Speedbird Insurance Company Limited.

    For the six months ended September 30,

    2009


    £ million Airline business All other segments Unallocated Total

    Revenue:


    Sales to external 4,008 94 4,102

    customers


    Inter-segment sales 19 19
    Segment revenue 4,027 94 4,121
    Segment result (125) 14 (111)
    Other non-operating 6 6

    income


    Loss before tax and (119) 14 (105)

    finance costs


    Net finance costs (89) (70) (159)
    Loss on sale of (9) (9)

    assets


    Share of associates' (19) (19)

    losses


    Tax 84 84
    Loss after tax (236) 14 14 (208)

    Assets and

    liabilities:


    Segment assets 10,126 124 10,250
    Investment in 194 194

    associates


    Total assets 10,320 124 10,444
    Segment liabilities 3,283 379 3,662
    Unallocated 4,621 4,621

    liabilities *


    Total liabilities 3,283 379 4,621 8,283

    Other segment

    information:


    Property, plant and 328 328

    equipment -

    additions (note 13)


    Intangible assets - 4 4

    additions


    Depreciation, 360 360

    amortisation and

    impairment

    Exceptional items

    (note 6):
    Restructuring 48 48

  • UNALLOCATED LIABILITIES PRIMARILY INCLUDE DEFERRED TAXES OF £746 MILLION AND BORROWINGS OF £3,869 MILLION WHICH ARE MANAGED ON A GROUP BASIS.

    5. SEGMENT INFORMATION continued

    a. Business segments continued

    For the six months ended September 30,

    2008


    £ million Airline business All other segments Unallocated Total

    Revenue:


    Sales to external 4,681 73 4,754

    customers


    Inter-segment sales 10 10
    Segment revenue 4,691 73 4,764
    Segment result 135 5 140
    Other non-operating (34) (34)

    expense


    Profit before tax 101 5 106

    and finance costs


    Net finance costs 45 (103) (58)
    Profit on sale of 2 2

    assets


    Share of associates' 2 2

    profit


    Tax (94) (94)
    Profit/(loss) after 150 5 (197) (42)

    tax

    Assets and

    liabilities:


    Segment assets 11,039 123 11,162
    Investment in 203 203

    associates


    Total assets 11,242 123 11,365
    Segment liabilities 3,557 404 3,961
    Unallocated 4,392 4,392

    liabilities *


    Total liabilities 3,557 404 4,392 8,353

    Other segment

    information


    Property, plant and 316 1 317

    equipment -

    additions (note 13)


    Intangible assets - 21 21

    additions (excluding

    L'Avion)


    Purchase of 33 33

    subsidiary (net of

    cash acquired)


    Depreciation, 346 1 347

    amortisation and

    impairment

    Exceptional items

    (note 6):
    Restructuring 45 45

  • UNALLOCATED LIABILITIES PRIMARILY INCLUDE DEFERRED TAXES OF £1,094 MILLION AND BORROWINGS OF £3,276 MILLION WHICH ARE MANAGED ON A GROUP BASIS.

    5. SEGMENT INFORMATION continued


    b. Geographical segments - by area of original sale
    Six months ended
    September 30
    £ million 2009 2008


    Europe: 2,411 2,954
    United Kingdom 1,764 2,205
    Continental Europe 647 749
    The Americas 910 912
    Africa, Middle East and Indian sub-continent 402 471
    Far East and Australasia 379 417
    Revenue 4,102 4,754

    Total of non-current assets excluding available-for-sale financial

    assets, employee benefit assets, prepayments and accrued income,

    derivative financial instruments and non-current assets held for sale

    located in the United Kingdom is £7,235 million (March 2009: £7,337

    million) and the total of these non-current assets located in other

    countries is £352 million (March 2009: £372 million)

    6. OPERATING (LOSS)/PROFIT

    Included in the operating loss is a restructuring charge primarily relating to severance of £48 million (2008: £45 million, of which £40 million related to the management voluntary severance scheme and the closure of the regional crew base at Glasgow).


    7. FINANCE COSTS AND INCOME
    Six months ended
    September 30
    £ million 2009 2008

    Finance costs:


    Interest payable on bank and other loans and finance (66) (79)

    charges payable under finance leases and hire

    purchase contracts


    Unwinding of discounting on provisions* (11) (14)
    Interest capitalised 1 2
    Total finance costs (76) (91)

    Finance income:


    Bank interest receivable 11 58
    Total finance income 11 58

    Pensions financing:


    Financing expense relating to pensions (81) (17)
    Net amortisation of actuarial (losses)/gains on (19) 4

    pensions


    Total financing expense relating to pensions (100) (13)


    Retranslation credits/(charges) on currency 6 (12)

    borrowings

  • CURRENT YEAR UNWINDING OF DISCOUNT ON THE COMPETITION INVESTIGATION PROVISION AND RESTORATION PROVISION.


    8. PROFIT ON SALE OF PROPERTY, PLANT, EQUIPMENT AND INVESTMENTS
    Six months ended
    September 30
    £ million 2009 2008


    Net loss on sale of property, plant and equipment (9)
    Net profit on the disposal of investments 2
    (Loss)/profit on sale of property, plant and equipment (9) 2

    and investments


    9. NON-CURRENT ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

    In April 2009, the Group agreed to the sale of 11 Boeing 757 aircraft, these aircraft will exit the business over a two-year period beginning June 2010. The economic lives and residual values of the aircraft were adjusted in April 2009 to reflect the terms of the sale agreement. Aircraft which are due to exit the business within 12 months are classified as non-current assets held for sale.


    10. Tax

    The tax credit for the six months ended September 30, 2009 was £84 million. The current tax charge for the period was £1 million and the deferred tax credit was £85 million. Excluding one-off adjustments arising from changes in tax legislation and adjustments to prior years the tax rate for the period would have been 26 per cent.


    11. EARNINGS PER SHARE

    Basic earnings per share for the period ended September 30, 2009 are calculated on a weighted average of 1,151,888,000 ordinary shares (September 30, 2008: 1,151,122,000; March 31, 2009: 1,151,230,000) and adjusted for shares held for the purposes of employee share ownership plans including the Long Term Incentive Plan. Diluted earnings per share for the period ended September 30, 2009 are calculated on a weighted average of 1,230,442,000 ordinary shares (September 30, 2008: 1,156,090,000; March 31, 2009:1,153,932,000).

    The number of shares in issue at September 30, 2009 was 1,153,642,000 (September 30, 2008: 1,153,628,000; March 31, 2009: 1,153,628,000) ordinary shares of 25 pence each.


    12. DIVIDENDS

    The directors declare that no dividend will be paid for the period ended September 30, 2009.

    13. PROPERTY, PLANT, EQUIPMENT AND INVESTMENTS

    During the six months ended September 30, 2009, the Group acquired assets with a cost of £328 million (September 30, 2008: £317 million). Included in the acquisition of assets are the delivery of two Airbus A318 aircraft, one Airbus A320 aircraft, three Boeing 777-200 aircraft and two Embraer E-jets aircraft.

    Property, plant and equipment with a net book value of £59 million was disposed of by the Group during the six months ended September 30, 2009 (September 30, 2008: £2 million) resulting in a net loss on disposal of £9 million (September 30, 2008: £nil).

    Assets with a net book value of £16 million were transferred to assets held for sale during the six months ended September 30, 2009 (September 30, 2008: £nil).


    14. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt


    September 30
    £ million 2009 2008


    Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during 23 (28)

    the period


    Net cash outflow from decrease in debt and lease 429 220

    financing


    Increase/(decrease) in other current interest-bearing 109 (87)

    deposits


    New loans and finance leases taken out and hire purchase (693) (91)

    arrangements made


    (Increase)/decrease in net debt resulting from cash flow (132) 14
    Exchange movements and other non-cash movements 152 (147)
    Decrease/(increase) in net debt during the period 20 (133)


    Net debt at April 1 (2,382) (1,310)
    Net debt at September 30 (2,362) (1,443)

    Net debt comprises the current and non-current portions of long-term borrowings less cash and cash equivalents and other current interest-bearing deposits.

    15. Long-term Borrowings


    September 30 March 31
    £ million 2009 2009

    a Current

    Loans, finance leases

    and hire purchase

    arrangements:


    Bank and other loans 175 69
    Finance leases 109 103
    Hire purchase 345 517

    arrangements

    629 689

    b Non-current

    Loans, finance leases

    and hire purchase

    arrangements:


    Bank and other loans* 1,207 779
    Finance leases 1,923 1,979
    Hire purchase 110 316

    arrangements
    3,240 3,074

  • INCLUDES £261 MILLION RELATING TO THE LIABILITY PORTION OF THE

    convertible bond (March 31, 2009: £ nil).

    The Group issued a £350 million convertible bond in August 2009, raising cash of £341 million (net of issue costs), which holds a coupon rate of 5.8 per cent and is convertible into ordinary shares at the option of the holder before or upon maturity in August 2014. Conversion into ordinary shares will occur at a premium of 38 per cent on the Group's share price on the date of issuance. The Group hold an option to redeem the convertible bond at its principal amount, together with accrued interest, upon fulfilment of certain pre-determined criteria. The balance of the proceeds of the convertible bond issue is included in equity.


    16. SHARE OPTIONS

    No new share options were granted during the period ended September 30, 2009.

    During the period ended September 30, 2008, the Group awarded a new performance share plan for its senior executives, under which 2,464,789 options over shares were awarded. For further details of the plan, refer to the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended March 31, 2009.


    17. PENSION COSTS

    The Company operates two funded principal defined benefit pension schemes in the UK, the Airways Pension Scheme (APS) and the New Airways Pension Scheme (NAPS) both of which are closed to new members. The Group performed an interim valuation on an IAS 19 basis as at September 30, 2009. The results of the interim valuation are summarised below:

    APS NAPS


    September 30 March 31 September 30 March 31

    2009 2009 2009 2009


    Fair value of scheme assets 6,239 5,925 7,338 6,049
    Present value of scheme liabilities (6,212) (5,065) (9,998) (7,216)
    Net pension asset/(liability) 27 860 (2,660) (1,167)

    Net pension asset/(liability) represented

    by:
    Net pension asset 269 304 116 26
    recognised
    Tax effect of APS 135
    surplus recognised
    Cumulative actuarial (242) 421 (2,776) (1,193)
    (losses)/gains not
    recognised
    Net pension asset/(liability) 27 860 (2,660) (1,167)

    At September 30, 2009 both APS and NAPS were recognised on the balance sheet as employee benefit assets, representing £385 million of the £393 million disclosed (March 31, 2009: £330 million of the £340 million). The £199 million employee benefit obligations at September 30, 2009 relates to other schemes (March 31, 2009: £191 million).

    The amounts recognised on the balance sheet at September 30, 2009 were not impacted by the results of the interim valuation, however the unrecognised net actuarial loss increased by £2.2 billion.

    The interim valuation was performed after updating key assumptions at September 30, 2009 as follows:

    APS NAPS


    September 30 March 31 September 30 March 31
    Per cent per annum 2009 2009 2009 2009
    Inflation (RPI) 3.0 2.7 3.2 3.0
    Salary increases (as RPI) 3.0 2.7 3.2 3.0
    Discount rate 5.5 7.1 5.4 6.9

    18. PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES AND CHARGES

    Litigation

    There are ongoing investigations into the Group's passenger and cargo surcharges by the European Commission and other jurisdictions. These investigations are likely to continue for some time. The Company is also subject to related class action claims. The final amount required to pay the remaining claims and fines is subject to uncertainty. A detailed breakdown of the remaining provision is not presented as it may seriously prejudice the position of the Company in these regulatory investigations and potential litigation.

    Restructuring

    The Company recognised a restructuring provision of £37 million at September 30, 2009 relating to targeted voluntary severance schemes announced during the first six months of this financial year. This provision is expected to be paid during the remainder of the current financial year.

    19. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

    There were contingent liabilities at September 30, 2009 in respect of guarantees and indemnities entered into as part of the ordinary course of the Group's business. No material losses are likely to arise from such contingent liabilities. A number of other lawsuits and regulatory proceedings are pending, the outcome of which in the aggregate is not expected to have a material effect on the Group's financial position or results of operations.

    The Group has guaranteed certain borrowings, liabilities and commitments, which at September 30, 2009 amounted to £195 million (March 31, 2009: £185 million).


    20. RELATED PARTIES

    The Group has had transactions in the ordinary course of business, during the period under review, with related parties.


    Six months ended
    September 30
    £ million 2009 2008

    Associates:


    Sales to associates 17 23
    Purchases from associates 24 30


    September 30 March 31
    £ million 2009 2009
    Amounts owed by associates 1 1
    Amounts owed to associates 2 2

    Associates

    Iberia, Lineas A?as de Espa?S.A. (Iberia)

    The Group has a 13.15 per cent investment in Iberia. Areas of opportunity for cooperation have been identified and work continues to pursue and implement these. Sales and purchases between related parties are made at normal market prices and outstanding balances are unsecured and interest free. Cash settlement is expected within the standard settlement terms specified by the IATA Clearing House.

    As at September 30, 2009 the net trading balance owed to Iberia by the Group amounted to £1 million (March 31, 2009: £1 million).

    Other associates

    The remaining net trading as at September 30, 2009 was due to transactions between the Group and Dunwoody Airline Services (Holdings) Limited.

    Directors' and officers' loans and transactions

    No loans or credit transactions were outstanding with directors or officers of the Company at September 30, 2009 or arose during the period that need to be disclosed in accordance with the requirements of Section 412 and 413 to the Companies Act 2006.

    In addition to the above, the Group also has transactions with related parties that are conducted in the normal course of airline business. These include the provision of airline and related services.

    The Group has not provided or benefited from any guarantees for any related party receivables or payables. During the period ended September 30, 2009 the Group has not made any provision for doubtful debts relating to amounts owed by related parties (March 31, 2009: £nil).


    21. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

    Capital expenditure authorised and contracted for but not provided for in the accounts amounts to £4,099 million for the Group commitments (March 31, 2009: £4,805 million). The majority of capital expenditure commitments are denominated in US dollars, as such the commitments are subject to exchange movements.

    The outstanding commitments include £4,053 million for the acquisition of two Boeing 777s (from 2010 to 2012), 24 Boeing 787s (from 2012 to 2016), nine Airbus A320s (from 2010 to 2012), 12 Airbus A380s (from 2012 to 2014) and nine Embraer E-jets (from 2009 to 2010).


    22. OTHER EVENTS

    Merger with Iberia

    In July 2008, the Group announced that the Company and Iberia were in talks with a view to an all-share merger between the two companies.

    Both airlines would keep their own brands and identities, each with day-to-day responsibility for the running of their own operations. It is anticipated that a new Company would be formed to hold the shares in both airlines.

    The Group remains focused on the talks and has developed a good relationship with the new Iberia management team.

    Joint Business Agreement with American Airlines and Iberia

    In August 2008, the Company agreed to seek regulatory approval for a new venture to join forces with American Airlines and Iberia on flights between North America and Europe. The joint business agreement will cover flights between the United States, Mexico and Canada, and the European Union, Switzerland and Norway. It will also expand the Company's codeshare arrangements on flights within and beyond the European Union and the United States, significantly increasing the number of destinations the Company will offer to customers.

    The Company is seeking regulatory approval for the agreement, which has involved applying for anti-trust immunity from the United States Department of Transportation and the European Commission.


    23. OTHER INFORMATION

    The figures for the six months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 are unaudited and do not constitute full accounts within the meaning of Section 435 of the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2009 which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and on which the auditors have issued an unqualified audit report, did not contain a statement under Schedule 6 of the Companies Act 1985.


    STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES

    The Directors confirm that this condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the European Union, and that the interim management report herein includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7 and DTR 4.2.8.

    The Directors of British Airways Plc are listed in the Group's Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended March 31, 2009.

    By order of the Board

    Willie Walsh

    Chief Executive

    Keith Williams

    Chief Financial Officer

    November 5, 2009

    INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO BRITISH AIRWAYS PLC

    Introduction

    We have been engaged by the Group to review the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended September 30, 2009 which comprises the Consolidated Income Statement, Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Balance Sheet, Consolidated Cash Flow Statement, Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity and the related notes 1 to 23. We have read the other information contained in the half yearly financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.

    This report is made solely to the Group in accordance with guidance contained in ISRE 2410 (UK and Ireland) 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Group, for our work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have formed.

    Directors' responsibilities

    The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority.

    As disclosed in note 2, the annual financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union. The condensed set of financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial Reporting", as adopted by the European Union.

    Our responsibility

    Our responsibility is to express to the Group a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report based on our review.

    Scope of review

    We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

    Conclusion

    Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended September 30, 2009 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted by the European Union and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority.

    Ernst & Young LLP, London

    November 5, 2009

    AIRCRAFT FLEET


    Number in service with Group companies at September 30, 2009


    On Balance Sheet Off Balance Sheet Total Total Changes Since Future deliveries Options
    Fixed Assets Operating Leases September 2009 March 2009 March 2009 (Note 12)

    AIRLINE OPERATIONS (note 1)


    Airbus A318 (Note 2) 1 1 1
    Airbus A319 31 2 33 33
    Airbus A320 (Note 3) 20 17 37 35 2 9 31
    Airbus A321 11 11 11
    Airbus A380 12 7
    Avro RJ85 2 2 2
    Avro RJ100 (Note 4) 7 7 9 (2)
    Boeing 737-300 (Note 1 (1)

    5)


    Boeing 737-400 19 19 19
    Boeing 737-500 (Note 1 1 2 (1)

    6)


    Boeing 747-400 (Note 54 54 55 (1)

    7)


    Boeing 757-200 (Note 10 2 12 15 (3)

    8)


    Boeing 767-300 21 21 21
    Boeing 777-200 (Note 42 4 46 42 4

    9)


    Boeing 777-300 6 4
    Boeing 787 24 28
    Embraer E170 (Note 2 2 2 4

    10)


    Embraer E190 5 18
    GROUP TOTAL (Note 211 35 246 245 1 60 88

    11)

    Note:


    1. Includes those operated by British Airways Plc, CityFlyer and
    OpenSkies.
    2. Excludes one Airbus A318 aircraft delivered but not entered into
    service.
    3. Includes one additional Airbus A320 aircraft operating leased in
    during the period. Certain future Airbus deliveries and options
    include reserved delivery positions, and may be taken as any A320
    family aircraft.
    4. One Avro RJ100 returned to lessor and one stood down pending return to
    lessor. Excludes six Avro RJ100 aircraft sub-leased to Swiss.
    5. Boeing 737-300 aircraft returned to lessor.
    6. Excludes one Boeing 737-500 aircraft stood down pending return to
    lessor.
    7. Excludes three Boeing 747-400 aircraft temporarily stood down out of
    service.
    8. Excludes three Boeing 757-200 aircraft stood down for sale.
    9. Includes three Boeing 777-200 aircraft deliveries during the half year
    and one Boeing 777-200 delivered March 2009 now entered into service.
    10. Two Embraer E170 aircraft deliveries entered into service at London
    City Airport.
    11. Excludes one Jetstream 41 sub-leased to Eastern Airways.
    12. Two Airbus A318 aircraft, one Airbus A320 aircraft, three Boeing
    777-200 aircraft and two Embraer E170 aircraft delivered during the
    half year.

    This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

    END

    IR FGMGMRKDGLZM

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