AGM Statement
29 Mayo 2003 - 6:00AM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:6675L
Alpha Airports Group PLC
29 May 2003
29 May 2003
ALPHA AIRPORTS GROUP PLC
AGM TRADING UPDATE
At the Annual General Meeting of Alpha Airports Group Plc to be held today, the
Chairman, Graham Frost, will make the following comments regarding current
trading:
"In the traditionally quiet first quarter for aviation activity, and despite the
Iraq war, Group sales are 2% ahead compared to the same period last year, mainly
driven by a strong performance in our Retail business where sales are up 10%
year on year. As expected, given the difficult market environment, Flight
Services divisional sales are down 5%.
In UK Retail, passenger numbers through the regional airports, where ALPHA is
focused, continue to grow by 6% year on year. The phasing in of the new ALPHA
Airport Shopping "pink" branding is giving a clear message that "Everyone Can
Buy", with passenger penetration levels into the new "pink" shops increased by
nearly 10% on this time last year. Combined with the underlying growth in
passengers through UK regional airports, this has helped to generate a 13%
growth in UK Retail sales.
Outlook
The second quarter has started quietly. Scheduled flight activity is slowly
recovering post the Iraq war. The UK charter airline sector is now anticipating
reasonable Summer bookings but the signs are that the May/June build-up to peak
Summer activity will be weaker than last year.
Assuming an ongoing recovery in scheduled and charter activity levels, we expect
a trading performance for the full year in line with the Board's expectations."
Enquiries:
ALPHA Airports Group Plc
Kevin Abbott, Chief Executive 020 8580 3200
Heather McRae, Finance Director
Gavin Anderson & Company
Laura Hickman 020 7554 1400
Amelia Hine
Website: www.alpha-group.com
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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