International Consolidated Airlines (IAG) reported “strong demand” in the first quarter, with a 77 per cent increase in operating profit to €351mn (£303mn) coming in about €100mn ahead of analysts’ expectations.
The owner of airlines including British Airways and Iberia said it had experienced “limited impact” on costs due to the conflict in the Middle East during the quarter, but added that it expects full-year profit to be lower due to the increase in jet fuel prices.
Although it has hedged 70 per cent of its fuel requirements and is “confident of jet fuel supply in our main markets throughout the summer”, it warned that if the war continues there is a chance that jet fuel supplies could be restricted.
“We are engaging with governments in each of our home markets as well as the EU to ensure that the industry is getting the support it needs to navigate this situation,” the company said.
IAG expects its fuel costs this year to be €9bn, which is €2bn more than previously forecast. It will be able to recover about 60 per cent of the additional expense through “revenue and cost management actions”.
However, given the higher fuel prices it expects free cash flow to be weaker than the €3bn figure it estimated when publishing full-year results in February. The shares fell by 3 per cent.




