The headline: Traffic growth returned to the Paris airports system last year, and the group made progress with the ADP Management division, which helped to lift commercial revenues in the group’s 2002 annual results just out.
Key figures: Total group sales rose +4.2% to €1,413 million (US$1,559 million). Net profit result after tax was €11 million (US$12 million). Revenue to the airport from commercial activities (including retail concessions and fuel sales) was up +14.8% to €224 million (US$247 million).
Comment: After a previous year marked by the tragedy of 11 September, the results also show the effects of another year of geopolitical uncertainty and weakness in the airline sector said ADP. Total passenger traffic for Charles de Gaulle, Orly and Le Bourget airports rose only slightly by +0.7% to 71.5 million in the year, compared to a drop of -3.5% in 2001. On a regional basis intra-EU traffic rose +1.2%, other European traffic +9.3%, Latin America +4.3% and Asia +16.1% but North America traffic declined by -4.0% and French domestic traffic by -7.7%.
Investment continued strongly reaching €628 million (US$693 million) in the year including the construction of the new terminal 2E phase one at Paris CDG and extension of terminal 3 (formerly T9) and terminal 1 refurbishment there. In Orly West a major refurbishment of the commercial area was completed.
Despite what ADP terms a “difficult context” during 2003, a similarly ambitious programme of €690 million (US$761 million) in capital spending is under way. Programmes include the second phase of terminal 2E at Paris CDG, roadway and other improvements. In Orly refurbishments will be launched this year in Orly West hall 2, the international hall at Orly South and baggage handling improvements will also be carried out.
International projects and investments under the ADP Management division, which is 34% owned by the Vinci construction group, also continued to progress. In Egypt, on the edge of the Red Sea ADP Management will open the new Marsa Alam airport and tourism complex in 2003. The airport operating subsidiary CAMS in Cambodia enjoyed passenger traffic growth of +11.3% in 2003, serving as a platform for the new terminal project in Siem Reap airport, the gateway to the Angkor Temple area, and Phnom Penh airport. Work continues in Mexico in the 13-airport OMA consortium,where ADP is a partner with Vinci and ICA. Traffic for the Mexican airports group, which includes Monterrey and Acapulco, increased by +5.8% in 2002.
ADP said it continues to be involved in China, via a 9.99% stake in Beijing Capital International airport, in the country’s human resources development in the airport sphere and preparations for Beijing to become a major Asia hub airport in time for the 2008 Olympic Games. Beijing traffic rose +12.7% last year.
