It's been a couple of weeks since I replied to poster Testor (http://frequentflier.com/forum/index.cgi?read=43850) on his views of the SN Brussels Airlines and Sobelair combination.
In short, I argued that SNBA was back in trouble and needed Sobelair's stable cash flow and long haul routes to bail it out once more. Both companies were part of the Sabena stable, the bankrupt Belgian state carrier. Testor, arguing on the basis of some ill-informed article in journal Le Soir of 6/14 said I had no clue about the matter and should shut up. In particular, Sobelair was in Testor's opinion the needy [arty here as results were bad. I replied (see link above) with a lengthy argumentation and invited Testor to reply with facts and figures. None ensued.
It is therefore with sheer pleasure a third, and wholly uncoonected, source is now backing up my position. Airline Business has just published its Annual World Airline Rankings (no online link yet, only paper copy) exhibiting the results for both airlines. Listings concern both profitability and scale (pax Nos).
OPERERATIONAL/SCALE
Sobelair: 4,752 MM RPKs; 1.6MM pax; 11 planes
SNBA: 2,971 MM RPKs; 2.7MM pax; 37 planes; load factor at 49.8%
Conclusion: Sobelair flies more KMs with less planes - but, could be expected from charter airline compared to a (now) purely regional operator like SNBA. But, note SNBA's pretty bad seat occupancy! Let's see whether financials back this up.
FINANCIAL
Sobelair: $191MM sales; ($11.2MM) Operating Profit(Loss); (5.9%) operating loss margin - not profitable as such but bear in mind the op.loss per RPK is 0.24 cents
SNBA: $442MM sales; ($97.4MM) Operating Profit(Loss); (22.0%) operating loss margin - i.e. the 15th worst group operating loss of all world airlines (distinguished, not?) and the 5th worst operating margin of the same group. The Op.Loss per RPK is 3.28 cents. Testor - still reading?
Conclusion: SNBA is the bigger airline in terms of number of pax, fleet size and revenue. It is, however, significantly less profitable at an Operating Profit level then Sobelair (by a factor 10!).
I guess, Testor, you and your press article are just plain wrong. Consequently, I want you to retract your inappropriate remark v-a-v myself as formulated on this forum. Failing that, let this post stand as a lasting indictment of your ignorance and lack of intellectual honesty. And, dear Testor, just practice what you preach - "If you don't know about it, don't write about it!"
