Improving RASK/COGS Turns Earnings from Negative to Positive
发布时间:2026-05-03 来源:华泰证券
Air China reported 1Q26 results:revenue reached RMB44,536mn(+11.3%YoY),with attributable NP turning to aprofit of RMB1,714mn(vs anet loss of RMB2,044mn in 1Q25),exceeding our estimate of RMB1,060mn.We think the beat was driven by effective cost control and better-than-we-expected investment income.While uncertainties in the Middle East persist,keeping airline fuel costs elevated,pricing power of the carriers has remained relatively strong,suggesting the impact on profitability may be quite limited,in our view.Sector valuations and investor interest currently sit at low levels.In the medium to long term,we do not anticipate supply growth will accelerate meaningfully,while international route competitiveness should improve.With this in mind,we believe the industry business climate could still recover from the bottom.Maintain BUY.
International PLF impressive,unit PLF up YoY
In 1Q26,the company achieved rapid capacity expansion,with ASK up 7.6%YoY,accompanied by robust demand,driving PLF up 4.6pp YoY to 84.8%—the most significant improvement among the three major airlines.By route,domestic/international capacity growth was relatively balanced,rising 7.4/7.7%YoY.International routes,likely benefiting from visa-free policies boosting inbound/outbound travel and spillover demand from Middle East transit passengers in March,saw PLF surge 7.2pp YoY to 83.6%.Meanwhile,domestic routes saw a3.5pp YoY PLF increase to 85.6%,supported by factors such as CNY travel demand.Given the notable PLF improvement,we estimate yield per ASK rose~3%YoY.Under A-share accounting standard,1Q26 revenue reached RMB44,536mn(+11.3%YoY).
Cost control sound,financial costs/invest.income improve
In 1Q26,Chinese airlines'jet fuel costs were not significantly affected by international tensions.The average ex-factory price was down 8%YoY.Meanwhile,Air China demonstrated effective cost control,reducing cost per ASK by 4.2%YoY.Coupled with strong yield performance,1Q26 gross profit rose by RMB3,293mn YoY to RMB3,503mn,with the gross margin up 7.3pp YoY to 7.9%.Additionally,the RMB showed strength,appreciating 1.6%against the USD(vs 0.1%in 1Q25),while interest expenses also improved,driving financial expenses down by RMB441mn YoY to RMB912mn.For investment income,gains from the disposal of Cathay Pacific shares contributed aRMB488mn YoY increase.As aresult,attributable NP reached RMB1,714mn,marking aYoY improvement of RMB3,758mn and aturnaround to profitability.
Earnings forecasts and valuation
We raise our 2026 attributable NP forecast to RMB2,143mn(previous:RMB-2,626mn)and lift our 2027/2028 forecast by 26/20%to RMB6,980/11,389mn,as recent fare hikes may drive better-than-we-expected fuel cost pass-through.We estimate the 2026 BVPS at RMB2.68 and maintain our target multiples of 3.3/2.4x 2026E PB for the A-/H-shares(above their historical average PB of 2.8/1.8x during the 2010-2011 recovery post-financial crisis,reflecting potential medium-to long-term profitability improvement).Our revised target prices are RMB8.85 and HKD7.35(previous:RMB8.00 and HKD6.40).Maintain BUY on both.
Risks:Slower demand recovery/faster fleet expansion than we expect,cost hikes(e.g.,maintenance)exceeding our expectations,a sharp decline in investment gains from Cathay Pacific,oil price risks,dilution risks arising from private placements,and aircraft accidents.