Air France-KLM's rising costs overshadow profit beat

By Diana Mandia

(Reuters) -Air France-KLM revised up its forecast for costs this year due in part to inflationary pressures, taking the shine off higher than expected quarterly earnings on Friday.

Shares in the Franco-Dutch airline were down around 2.5% at 1049 GMT, recovering from losses of over 4% in early trading.

Although fuel prices have fallen, the carrier said overall unit costs would increase by a low single digit percentage in 2023 versus 2022 due to factors including higher salaries and a previously downgraded capacity estimate.

Its previous guidance had been for flat costs this year.

Air France-KLM expects to reduce its unit cost by improving productivity, but does not plan to cut full-time equivalent positions as it needs more staff, the airline said in a call with journalists.

The company flew 24.7 million passengers in the second quarter, up 8.2% from a year earlier. It said conditions at airports, including KLM's hub at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, were much improved this summer after strikes and staff shortages last year - the first holiday season without restrictions following the COVID-19 pandemic.

This summer season will serve as a test run for 2024, when France will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Chief Executive Benjamin Smith said in a statement.

Air-France KLM's operating profit jumped to 733 million euros in April-June from 386 million a year earlier, above the 663 million euros forecast in a company-compiled consensus.

The group confirmed its capacity outlook for the rest of the year, reduced in May to around 95% of the 2019 level - from 95-100% previously - due to delays on new aircraft deliveries.

The carrier, which like IAG and Lufthansa has shown an interest in Portugal's state-owned airline TAP, has hired legal advisers for a possible bid, but said any transaction would depend on keeping its commitment to a medium-term operating margin of 7-8%.

(Reporting by Diana Mandiá; Editing by Susan Fenton and Mark Potter)