Air New Zealand still expects earnings to beat last year despite rising fuels costs

Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon. Photo / File

Air New Zealand still expects annual earnings to beat last year's result despite the squeeze from rising fuel costs, which it sees as an ongoing headwind into 2019.

The Auckland-based national carrier today reaffirmed guidance for pre-tax earnings of more than $527 million in the year ending June 30, beating what it reported in 2017.

The airline told investors at a briefing in Auckland it expects annual fuel costs of $990m at US$75 ($106.68) per barrel. The average jet fuel price in the 2016 and 2017 years was US$60/barrel.

"Based upon the current market conditions and despite the increased price of jet fuel, the company continues to expect 2018 earnings before taxation to exceed the prior year," according to slides accompanying chief executive Christopher Luxon's presentation.

"2018 will be another strong year, despite absorbing over $100m in higher fuel expense."

The airline has already responded to the higher cost of fuel with increased prices on domestic and international routes. Long-haul routes have a higher sensitivity to more expensive fuel because of the longer travel times.

Air NZ today said those fuel costs will remain a headwind in the 2019 financial year, and it's managing that through several levers such as hedging.

Its current hedge position for the September quarter was 76 per cent at a ceiling price of US$66/barrel and 75 per cent at a ceiling price of US$71/barrel in the December quarter.

The airline's maximum hedging policy is around 80 per cent. Other responses to more expensive fuel are pricing, capacity, and productivity initiatives, it said.

The airline is in the process of upgrading its domestic fleet and is investigating larger aircraft to support growth on local routes.

Air NZ has previously signalled capital spending on aircraft of $2.1 billion through to 2021, primarily for the Airbus A320/321 NEO planes, and today said it will adjust that capex forecast "to reflect our growth priorities", estimating an extra $350m-to-$450m invested in new aircraft over the coming three years.

Despite that additional spending, Air NZ affirmed its commitment to "a consistent and sustainable ordinary dividend in the medium term, while maintaining business flexibility through the business cycle", and it's prepared its gearing ratio for that planned expenditure.

Air NZ shares rose 0.8 per cent to $3.15 at the market open, in contrast to a 0.1 per cent dip on the S&P/NZX 50 index.