Aena to pay dividends of 1.149 million after exceeding pre-Covid profits
The airport manager achieves EBITDA of 3.023 million, surpassing 2019, and will update its plans on March 7.
Aena completed an impressive 2023 in terms of revenue and profit generation, which will allow it to pay a gross dividend of 1.149 million euros, of which the state will receive 586 million as the owner of 51% of the listed company. Payment will beIt will take place at a meeting scheduled for April 18 next year, will be paid on May 7 and is equivalent to €7.66 per title, an increase of 61% compared to 2022. It will be paid in cash.
The airport manager earned 1.631 million, which is 81% more than in 2022 (902 million) and 13% more than before the pandemic (1.442 million in 2019), which was still considered a benchmark year for both the economy and for Aena transportation. In addition to improving traffic and commercial activity, the listed company reversed a €155 million deterioration in its investment in Brazil and reduced its energy bills in Spain by €121 million.
Revenue rose to 5.142 million, up 21% from 2022 and significantly lower than 2019’s 3.449 million. In parallel, EBITDA increased to 3.023 million, which is 45% more than in 2022 and 9% higher than in 2019.
On November 2, Aena announced that it expects its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization to exceed 2019 levels, which was the goal it set in its 2024 or 2025 strategic plan. Thus, the listed company completes the update. of its plan until 2026, with a new forecast for EBITDA, among other parameters, to be announced on March 7.
Another of the targets that was set for its strategic plan and which it has already achieved is the reduction of net debt compared to EBITDA at Aena SME, the group’s parent company. The company set itself the goal of achieving double EBITDA in 2026, but in 2023, at 5.676 million (2% less), it exceeded EBITDA by 2.12 times compared to 3.05 in 2022. In consolidated terms, net debt amounted to 6.222 million, which is 2.06 times higher than EBITDA.
The biggest increase was in commercial revenues, which increased by 25% due to increases in passenger numbers and prices. With 2.3% more passengers than in 2019, Aena gained 17% more than in 2019 in stores, restaurants and car rentals, among other things, reaching 1.552 million. The bulk of its business continues to be the aviation segment: 2.858 million, up 18% from 2022. After receiving government and CNMC approval, the company will raise airline fares by 4.09% starting next Friday, March 1.
For its part, international activities already account for 12% of Aena’s turnover, amounting to 617 million in 2023 and 27% more than in 2022. This segment includes the year-end acquisition of eleven airports that Aena acquired through 2022, so the real impact will not occur until 2024.