Virgin Australia posts $225 million loss

AUSTRALIA’S second biggest airline is bleeding cash as it struggles to turn its fortunes around, posting a $225 million annual loss statement.

VIRGIN Australia has announced it will post an annual loss of $224.7 million due to the impairments and charges it expects to record under its restructure plans, which aim to position the airline for future profitability.

The airline founded by Sir Richard Branson, which is Australia’s second largest, reports its full year results on August 5. But it has used a fourth quarter trading update to warn of the impact of the changes the airline says will save up up $300 million per year by the end of 2018/19.

Underlying profit for the 12 months to June 30 will meet guidance at $41 million, an improvement on the previous year’s $49 million, but the bottom line will be hit by previously announced impairments — most of which were recorded in the fourth quarter.

Virgin Australia said it will post a net loss of $228 million for the final three months of 2015/16, and a full year net loss of $224.7 million.

The airline’s changes include the streamlining of its fleet of aircraft and efforts to improve the efficiency of its crew and ground operations.

Virgin Australia cut domestic capacity by two per cent in the final three months of the 2015/16 year to reflect demand, and said its underlying pre-tax loss for the period narrowed by $15 million to $21.9 million.

“The group improved its underlying performance, passenger numbers and load factors in the fourth quarter in a challenging operating environment,” chief executive John Borghetti said.

“During the quarter, the group took action in response to operating conditions through strategic capacity reductions in line with demand.”

The trading update comes after Etihad Airways yesterday agreed to buy new shares in Virgin Australia to retain its 21.8 per cent stake and board seat.

Originally published as Virgin Australia posts $225 million loss