The Alliance Aviation Services Ltd (ASX: AQZ) share price soared as much as 30.23% higher this morning on the back of a trading update. The company provided further insight into how the business is tracking in the wake of COVID-19 and re-established its FY20 earnings guidance.
About Alliance Aviation Services
Alliance provides contract, charter and allied aviation services across Australia to mining, energy, tourism and government sectors.
Its customer base includes S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) names like South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP).
The company owns a fleet of around 40 aircraft and completed 19,710 flying hours in the first half of FY20.
What did Alliance announce?
This morning, Alliance revealed it has experienced a significant increase in demand for charter flights and expects to deliver its strongest charter revenue result in many years. The company attributed this uptick in demand to a combination of social distancing and a lack of available scheduled flights by other operators.
As a result, Alliance has welcomed a significant number of new resources sector clients and expects this level of charter revenue to continue through FY21.
Although travel restrictions have impacted inbound tourism contract revenue, Alliance has been able to capitalise on additional demand for flights in the resources sector. Implementing measures such as health screening of passengers, temperature checks, and specific seating plans, the company has actually increased its flight schedules of contracted clients.
In terms of its wet leasing division, Alliance has an agreement in place with Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd (ASX: VAH) to provide aircraft and crew and operate services on Virgin's behalf. As Virgin is still in voluntary administration, this agreement remains suspended. Alliance noted it is not expecting any wet leasing activity for the remainder of FY20 and anticipates limited demand for these services in FY21.
FY20 outlook
By way of a trading update on 20 March 2020, Alliance outlined the impact of COVID-19 on its operations at the time and accordingly, suspended FY20 earnings guidance.
According to the company, now that the impact of COVID-19 has somewhat stabilised, it is in a position to provide earnings guidance for FY20. Alliance now expects to report full-year profit before tax in excess of $40 million. At the very least, a result of $40 million would represent 22% growth on the $32.8 million achieved in FY19.
