Finnair has raised its guidance for comparable operating result for the full-year 2023. This is partly as it expects travel demand to continue stronger than previously anticipated, while fuel price development has been more favourable than expected and the company’s strategy implementation has progressed better than anticipated.
Contrary to the previous guidance, the company estimates that the comparable operating result will probably reach or even exceed the 2019 level (€162.8 million). In terms of 2023 revenue, Finnair still estimates that it will not yet reach the 2019 level (€3,097.7 million).
As a result of the improved profit outlook, the Scandinavian carrier’s strategic comparable operating profit margin target of at least 5% from mid-2024 onwards would be reached 12–18 months earlier than anticipated. However, uncertainty in Finnair’s operating environment continues as the fuel price is still high and also since the end of the closure of Russian airspace is not yet in sight. In addition, the extent of the impacts of inflation and rising interest rates on demand and costs is uncertain.
Finnair estimated in its guidance published on April 27, 2023 that its 2023 revenue will significantly increase and comparable operating result will significantly improve year-on-year, especially as the first half of 2022 was heavily burdened by both the pandemic and the closed Russian airspace. However, the company has estimated that revenue and comparable operating result would not yet reach the level of 2019. (£1.00 = €1.17 at time of publication).
