UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 6-K

 

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16

under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the month of August 2012

 

Commission File Number: 001-14550

 

China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited

 

 (Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

 

Board Secretariat’s Office

Kong Gang San Lu, Number 88

Shanghai, China 200335

 

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:  x Form 20-F    ¨ Form 40-F

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:  ¨ Yes    x No

 

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):    n/a 

 

 
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

      China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited
        (Registrant)
         
Date August 31, 2012   By /s/ Wang Jian
        Name: Wang Jian
        Title: Joint Company Secretary

 

 
 

 

Certain statements contained in this announcement may be regarded as "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual performance, financial condition or results of operations of the Company to be materially different from any future performance, financial condition or results of operations implied by such forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these risks, uncertainties and other factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included in this announcement represent the Company's views as of the date of this announcement. While the Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause the Company's views to change, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, unless required by applicable laws. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this announcement.

 

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited take no responsibility for the contents of this announcement, make no representation as to its accuracy or completeness and expressly disclaim any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from or in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this announcement.

 

 

(A joint stock limited company incorporated in the People’s Republic of China with limited liability)

(Stock code: 00670)

 

2012 INTERIM RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT

 

The board of directors (the “Board”) of China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited (the “Company” or “CEA”) hereby presents the unaudited interim consolidated financial information of the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Group”) for the six months ended 30 June 2012 (which were reviewed and approved by the Board and the audit and risk management committee of the Company (the “Audit and Risk Management Committee”) on 30 August 2012), with comparative figures for the corresponding financial information in 2011.

 

Under the requirements of the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation of the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”), the Group is subject to value-added tax instead of business tax with effect from 1 January 2012 on the Group’s domestic traffic revenue and the other revenues generated in Shanghai region. The entities involved include the Shanghai headquarters of the Company, Shanghai Airlines Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Airlines”) and China Cargo Airlines Co., Ltd. (“China Cargo Airlines”). The implementation of such change from business tax to value-added tax has influenced the transportation revenue, operating costs and expenses as well as total profit of the Company for the first half of the year 2012. Therefore, investors are cautioned that the aforesaid financial indicators are not comparable to the data for the same period in 2011.

 

The interim consolidated financial information of the Group for the six months ended 30 June 2012 is unaudited and does not necessarily indicate annual or future results.

 

- 1 -
 

 

INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) For the six months ended 30 June 2012

 

       (Unaudited) 
       Six months ended 30 June 
       2012   2011 
   Note   RMB’000   RMB’000 
             
Revenues  6    40,213,354    38,079,190 
Other operating income        864,750    379,461 
Operating expenses               
Aircraft fuel        (14,670,924)   (13,377,068)
Gain on fair value movements of derivatives financial instruments        9,847    85,496 
Take-off and landing charges        (4,308,392)   (3,888,726)
Depreciation and amortisation        (3,632,783)   (3,360,471)
Wages, salaries and benefits        (4,445,938)   (4,193,998)
Aircraft maintenance        (2,173,587)   (1,852,945)
Food and beverages        (953,799)   (962,742)
Aircraft operating lease rentals        (2,067,134)   (1,934,634)
Other operating lease rentals        (294,895)   (314,715)
Selling and marketing expenses        (1,720,236)   (1,769,625)
Civil aviation development fund        (675,503)   (655,172)
Ground services and other charges        (310,457)   (246,893)
Office, administrative and other expenses        (4,046,592)   (3,716,462)
Total operating expenses        (39,290,393)   (36,187,955)
                
Operating profit        1,787,711    2,270,696 
Share of results of associates        40,377    42,581 
Share of results of jointly controlled entities        17,895    15,281 
Interest income        96,927    37,405 
Finance costs  8    (846,601)   (716,019)
Exchange (losses)/gains, net  9    (227,985)   817,649 
                
Profit before income tax        868,324    2,467,593 
Income tax  10    (175,465)   (119,967)
                
Profit for the period        692,859    2,347,626 

 

- 2 -
 

 

       (Unaudited) 
       Six months ended 30 June 
       2012   2011 
   Note   RMB’000   RMB’000 
             
Profit attributable to:               
Equity shareholders of the Company        806,900    2,279,255 
Non-controlling interests        (114,041)   68,371 
                
         692,859    2,347,626 
Earnings per share attributable to the equity shareholders of the Company during the period               
– Basic and diluted (RMB)  11    0.07    0.20 
                
Profit for the period        692,859    2,347,626 
Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the period               
Cash flow hedges, net of tax        2,886    (21,726)
Fair value movements of available-for-sale investments held by associates        4,108    (4,900)
Fair value movements of available-for-sale investments            534 
                
Total comprehensive income for the period        699,853    2,321,534 
                
Total comprehensive income attributable to:               
Equity shareholders of the Company        813,894    2,253,163 
Non-controlling interests        (114,041)   68,371 
                
         699,853    2,321,534 

  

- 3 -
 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

Prepared in accordance with IFRS

As at 30 June 2012

 

       (Unaudited)   (Audited) 
       30 June   31 December 
       2012   2011 
   Note   RMB’000   RMB’000 
             
Non-current assets               
Intangible assets  14    11,392,289    11,353,590 
Property, plant and equipment  15    78,279,132    73,757,795 
Lease prepayments        1,792,183    1,471,272 
Advanced payments on acquisition of aircraft  16    9,943,050    10,968,344 
Investments in associates        881,192    837,589 
Investments in jointly controlled entities        423,151    423,256 
Available-for-sale financial assets        240,380    240,380 
Other long-term assets        1,952,097    1,929,834 
Deferred tax assets        47,786    44,418 
Derivative assets        5,408    4,365 
                
         104,956,668    101,030,843 
Current assets               
Flight equipment spare parts        1,774,015    1,555,544 
Trade receivables  17    2,854,617    2,197,493 
Prepayments, deposits and other receivables        5,620,296    5,611,715 
Cash and cash equivalents        5,361,229    3,860,973 
Assets held for sale        385,009    482,313 
                
         15,995,166    13,708,038 
Current liabilities               
Sales in advance of carriage        3,396,552    3,197,649 
Trade payables and notes payable  18    3,549,122    2,692,624 
Other payables and accrued expenses        15,920,657    16,267,287 
Current portion of obligations under finance leases  19    2,396,777    2,459,259 
Current portion of borrowings  20    22,861,774    18,171,130 
Income tax payable       218,930    172,319 
Current portion of provision for return condition               
checks for aircraft under operating leases        495,177    375,409 
Derivative liabilities        44,473    51,063 
                
         48,883,462    43,386,740 
                
Net current liabilities        (32,888,296)   (29,678,702)
                
Total assets less current liabilities        72,068,372    71,352,141 

 

- 4 -
 

 

       (Unaudited)   (Audited) 
       30 June   31 December 
       2012   2011 
   Note   RMB’000   RMB’000 
             
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES               
Obligations under finance leases  19    18,821,414    17,801,563 
Borrowings  20    22,499,306    23,603,463 
Provision for return condition checks for aircraft under operating leases        3,046,347    2,923,717 
Other long-term liabilities        1,517,471    2,047,099 
Post-retirement benefit obligations        3,053,436    2,859,945 
Deferred tax liabilities        29,326    29,326 
Derivative liabilities        276,821    281,921 
                
         49,244,121    49,547,034 
                
Net assets        22,824,251    21,805,107 
                
Equity               
Capital and reserves attributable to the equity shareholders of the Company               
Share capital  21    11,276,539    11,276,539 
Reserves        10,007,033    8,849,353 
                
         21,283,572    20,125,892 
Non-controlling interests        1,540,679    1,679,215 
                
Total equity        22,824,251    21,805,107 

 

- 5 -
 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

Prepared in accordance with IFRS

For the six months ended 30 June 2012

 

   (Unaudited) 
   Six months ended 30 June 
   2012   2011 
   RMB’000   RMB’000 
         
Net cash inflow from operating activities   5,847,254    5,515,206 
Net cash outflow from investing activities   (3,862,439)   (5,526,675)
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities   (487,930)   1,230,130 
           
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents   1,496,885    1,218,661 
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January   3,860,973    3,078,228 
Exchange adjustments   3,371    (11,034)
           
Cash and cash equivalents at 30 June   5,361,229    4,285,855 

 

- 6 -
 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

Prepared in accordance with IFRS

For the six months ended 30 June 2012

 

   Attributable to equity holders of the Company         
                   Non-     
   Share   Other   Accumulated       controlling   Total 
   capital   reserves   losses   Subtotal   interests   equity 
   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000 
                         
Six months ended 30 June 2012 (Unaudited)                              
                               
Balance at 1 January 2012   11,276,539    17,229,128    (8,379,775)   20,125,892    1,679,215    21,805,107 
Total comprehensive income for the period ended 30 June 2012       6,994    806,900    813,894    (114,041)   699,853 
Recognise fair value of land use right as deemed cost       343,786        343,786        343,786 
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries                   (23,042)   (23,042)
Disposal of a subsidiary                   (1,453)   (1,453)
                               
Balance at 30 June 2012   11,276,539    17,579,908    (7,572,875)   21,283,572    1,540,679    22,824,251 
                               
Six months ended 30 June 2011 (Unaudited)                              
                               
Balance at 1 January 2011   11,276,539    16,950,255    (12,955,507)   15,271,287    1,290,599    16,561,886 
Total comprehensive income for the period ended 30 June 2011       (26,092)   2,279,255    2,253,163    68,371    2,321,534 
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries                   (149,391)   (149,391)
Capital contribution by non-controlling interests in a subsidiary                   1,004,500    1,004,500 
                               
Balance at 30 June 2011   11,276,539    16,924,163    (10,676,252)   17,524,450    2,214,079    19,738,529 

 

- 7 -
 

 

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

1.CORPORATE INFORMATION

 

China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited (the “Company”), a joint stock company limited by shares, was incorporated in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”) on 14 April 1995. The address of the Company’s registered office is 66 Airport Street, Pudong International Airport, Shanghai, the PRC. The Company and its subsidiaries (together, the “Group”) are principally engaged in the operation of civil aviation, including the provision of passenger, cargo, mail delivery, tour operations and other extended transportation services.

 

The Company is majority owned by China Eastern Air Holding Company (“CEA Holding”), a state-owned enterprise incorporated in the PRC.

 

The Company’s shares are traded on Shanghai Stock Exchange, The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and The New York Stock Exchange.

 

This condensed consolidated interim financial information was approved for issue by the Company’s Board on 30 August 2012.

 

This condensed consolidated interim financial information has not been audited.

 

2.BASIS OF PREPARATION

 

This unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2012 has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard (“IAS”) 34 “Interim Financial Reporting”. The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial information should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2011, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standard Board (“IASB”).

 

In preparing the interim financial information, the Directors have given careful consideration to the going concern status of the Group in the context of the Group’s current working capital deficit.

 

As at 30 June 2012, the Group’s accumulated losses were approximately RMB7.57 billion; its current liabilities exceeded its current assets by approximately RMB32.89 billion.

 

Against this background, the Directors have taken active steps to seek additional sources of finance and improve the Group’s liquidity position. As at 30 June 2012, the Group had total unutilised credit facilities of approximately RMB43.1 billion from certain banks. The Board believes that, based on experience to date, it is likely that these facilities will be rolled over in future years if required.

 

With the credit facilities and based on the Group’s history of obtaining finance and its relationships with its bankers and creditors, the Board considers that the Group will be able to obtain sufficient financing to enable it to operate, as well as to meet its liabilities as and when they become due, and the capital expenditure requirements. Accordingly, the Board believes that it is appropriate to prepare these financial information on a going concern basis without including any adjustments that would be required should the Company and the Group fail to continue as a going concern.

 

- 8 -
 

 

3.ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Except as described below, the accounting policies applied are consistent with those of the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2011, as described in those annual financial statements.

 

(a)Amendments to IFRS 7, Financial instruments: Disclosures – Transfer of financial assets: this amendment promotes transparency in the reporting of transfer transactions and improve users’ understanding of the risk exposures relating to transfers of financial assets and the effect of those risks on the Company’s financial position. The Group did not have any significant transfers of financial assets in previous periods or the current period which require disclosures in current accounting period under the amendments and these amendments have had no material impact to the contents of the interim financial information.

 

(b)Taxes on income in the interim periods are accrued using the tax rate that would be applicable to expected total annual earnings.

 

The Group has not early adopted any new accounting and financial reporting standards, amendments to existing standards and interpretations which have been issued but are not yet effective for the financial year ending 31 December 2012.

 

4.ESTIMATES

 

The preparation of interim financial information requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expense. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

In preparing these condensed consolidated interim financial information, the significant judgements made by management in applying the Group’s accounting policies and the key sources of estimation uncertainty were the same as those that applied to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2011.

 

5FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

 

(a)Financial risk factors

 

The Group's activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including currency risk, fair value interest rate risk, cash flow interest rate risk and fuel price risk), credit risk and liquidity risk.

 

The interim condensed consolidated financial information do not include all financial risk management information and disclosures required in the annual financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the Group’s annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2011.

 

There have been no changes in the risk management department since year end or in any risk management policies.

 

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(b)Liquidity risk

 

The Group’s primary cash requirements have been for day-to-day operations, additions of and upgrades to aircraft, engines and flight equipment and repayments of related borrowings. The Group finances its working capital requirements through a combination of funds generated from operations and bank loans (both short-term and long-term). The Group generally finances the acquisition of aircraft through long-term finance leases or bank loans.

 

The Group operates with a working capital deficit. As at 30 June 2012, the Group’s net current liabilities amounted to RMB32,888 million (2011: RMB29,679 million). For the six months ended 30 June 2012, the Group recorded a net cash inflow from operating activities of RMB5,847 million (2011: inflow of RMB5,515 million), a net cash outflow from investing activities and financing activities of RMB4,350 million (2011: outflow of RMB4,296 million), and an increase in cash and cash equivalents of RMB1,497 million (2011: increase of RMB1,219 million).

 

The Directors of the Company believe that cash from operations and bank loans will be sufficient to meet the Group’s operating cash flow. Due to the dynamic nature of the underlying businesses, the Group’s treasury policy aims at maintaining flexibility in funding by keeping credit lines available. The Directors of the Company believe that the Group has obtained sufficient general credit facilities from PRC banks for financing future capital commitments and for working capital purposes.

 

The table below analyses the Group’s financial liabilities that will be settled into relevant maturity groupings based on the remaining period at the balance sheet to the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the table are the contractual undiscounted cash flows. Balances due within 12 months equal their carrying balances, as the impact of discounting is not significant.

 

   Less than   Between   Between     
   1 year   1 and 2 years   2 and 5 years   Over 5 years 
   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000 
                 
At 30 June 2012 (Unaudited)                    
Borrowings   24,008,956    7,597,640    9,310,067    7,650,742 
Derivative financial instruments   490        85,699    235,105 
Obligations under finance leases   2,705,037    2,687,585    8,360,655    9,289,250 
Trade and other payables   19,073,643    71,683    256,987    67,466 
                     
Total   45,788,126    10,356,908    18,013,408    17,242,563 
                     
At 31 December 2011 (Audited)                    
Borrowings   19,129,172    8,959,738    10,053,089    6,255,055 
Derivative financial instruments   1,099    1,987    110,487    219,411 
Obligations under finance leases   2,790,844    2,846,797    7,836,047    8,448,826 
Trade and other payables   18,650,034    71,410    148,515    67,210 
                     
Total   40,571,149    11,879,932    18,148,138    14,990,502 

 

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(c)Fair value estimation

 

The table below analyses financial instruments carried at fair value by valuation method. The different levels have been defined as follows:

 

Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1).

 

Inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (that is, as prices) or indirectly (that is, derived from prices) (level 2).

 

Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (that is, unobservable inputs) (level 3)

 

The following table presents the Group’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value at 30 June 2012 and 31 December 2011.

 

   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000 
                 
At 30 June 2012 (Unaudited)                    
Assets                    
Derivatives financial instruments                    
– Interest rate swaps       2,642        2,642 
– Other financial instruments       2,766        2,766 
Available-for-sale financial assets   2,344        238,036    240,380 
                     
Total   2,344    5,408    238,036    245,788 
                     
Liabilities                    
Derivatives financial instruments                    
– Interest rate swaps       272,560        272,560 
– Forward foreign exchange contracts       48,734        48,734 
                     
Total       321,294        321,294 
                     
At 31 December 2011 (Audited)                    
Assets                    
Derivatives financial instruments                    
– Interest rate swaps       4,279        4,279 
– Forward foreign exchange contracts       86        86 
Available-for-sale financial assets   2,344        238,036    240,380 
                     
Total   2,344    4,365    238,036    244,745 
                     
Liabilities                    
Derivatives financial instruments                    
– Interest rate swaps       267,909        267,909 
– Forward foreign exchange contracts       65,075        65,075 
                     
Total       332,984        332,984 

 

For the six months ended 30 June 2012, there were no significant changes in the business or economic circumstances that affect the fair value of the Group’s financial assets and financial liabilities.

 

For the six months ended 30 June 2012, there was no reclassification of financial assets.

 

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6.REVENUES

 

The Group is principally engaged in the operation of civil aviation, including the provision of passenger, cargo, mail delivery, tour operations and other extended transportation services.

 

   (Unaudited) 
   Six months ended 30 June 
   2012   2011 
   RMB’000   RMB’000 
         
Traffic revenues          
– Passenger   33,565,785    31,794,486 
– Cargo and mail   4,003,592    3,580,560 
Tour operations income   984,813    897,961 
Ground service income   906,058    856,837 
Cargo handling income   89,041    154,566 
Commission income   42,099    71,681 
Others   621,966    723,099 
           
    40,213,354    38,079,190 

 

Note:

 

Pursuant to the notice of regarding the pilot programme for the transformation of transportation and certain modern service industries in Shanghai from business tax to Value Add Tax (“VAT”) (Cai Shui Fa [2011] No. 111) issued by Ministry of Fiance (“MoF”) and the State Administration of Taxation (“SAT”), all of the Group’s domestic traffic revenue and the other revenues (including ground service income, cargo handling income, commission income and others) generated in Shanghai are subjected to VAT levied at rates of 11% or 6% from 1 January 2012; while the other revenue generated in other locations of China continue to be subject to business tax at rates of 3% or 5%.

 

Before 1 January 2012, the major elements of the Group’s revenues were subjected to business tax levied at rates of 3% or 5%. Pursuant to the notice of exemption of business tax on the provision of international transportation services (Cai Shui [2010] No. 8) jointly issued by MoF and SAT, the Group’s revenues from the provision of international transportation services are exempted from business tax from 1 January 2010. The business tax incurred and offset against the above Group’s revenues for the six months ended 30 June 2012 amounted to approximately RMB339 million (2011: approximately RMB776 million).

 

7SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

(a)CODM, office of the General Manager, reviews the Group’s internal reporting in order to assess performance and allocate resources.

 

The Group has one reportable operating segment, reported as “airline transportation operations”, which comprises the provision of passenger, cargo, mail delivery and ground service.

 

Other services including tour operations, aviation training, air catering and other miscellaneous services are not included within the airline transportation operations segment, as their internal reports are separately provided to the CODM. The results of these operations are included in the “other segments” column.

 

Inter-segment transactions are entered into under normal commercial terms and conditions that would be available to unrelated third parties.

 

- 12 -
 

 

In accordance with IFRS 8, segment disclosure has been presented in a manner that is consistent with the information used by the Group’s CODM. The Group’s CODM monitors the results, assets and liabilities attributable to each reportable segment based on financial results prepared under the PRC Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises (the “PRC Accounting Standards”), which differ from IFRS in certain aspects. The amount of each material reconciling items from the Group’s reportable segment revenue, profit, assets and liabilities arising from different accounting policies are set out in Note 7(c) below.

 

The segment results for the six months ended 30 June 2012 are as follows:

 

           (Unaudited)         
   Airline                 
   transportation   Other             
   operations   segments   Elimination   Unallocated*   Total 
   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000 
                     
Reportable segment revenue from external customers   39,321,780    1,081,000            40,402,780 
Inter-segment sales       113,518    (113,518)        
                          
Reportable segment revenue   39,321,780    1,194,518    (113,518)       40,402,780 
                          
Reportable segment profit before income tax   938,839    63,176        65,546    1,067,561 
                          
Other segment information                         
                          
Depreciation and amortisation   3,792,726    53,769            3,846,495 
Impairment losses   (21,219)   200            (21,019)
Capital expenditure   8,031,713    86,875            8,118,588 

 

The segment results for the six months ended 30 June 2011 are as follows:

 

           (Unaudited)         
   Airline                 
   transportation   Other             
   operations   segments   Elimination   Unallocated*   Total 
   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000 
                     
Reportable segment revenue from external customers   37,830,299    951,855            38,782,154 
Inter-segment sales       92,464    (92,464)        
                          
Reportable segment revenue   37,830,299    1,044,319    (92,464)       38,782,154 
                          
Reportable segment profit before income tax   2,559,372    19,990        63,472    2,642,834 
                          
Other segment information                         
                          
Depreciation and amortisation   3,497,463    44,839            3,542,302 
Impairment losses   35,199    21            35,220 
Capital expenditure   7,340,893    61,764            7,402,657 

 

- 13 -
 

 

The segment assets and liabilities as at 30 June 2012 and 31 December 2011 are as follows:

 

   Airline                 
   transportation   Other             
   operations   segments   Elimination   Unallocated*   Total 
   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000 
                     
At 30 June 2012 (Unaudited)                         
Reportable segment assets   111,587,327    5,736,930    (784,894)   1,544,723    118,084,086 
Reportable segment liabilities   91,240,479    4,611,861    (784,894)       95,067,446 
                          
At 31 December 2011 (Audited)                         
Reportable segment assets   106,818,323    4,658,780    (763,176)   1,501,225    112,215,152 
Reportable segment liabilities   87,272,414    3,560,501    (763,176)       90,069,739 

 

*Unallocated assets primarily represent investments in associates and jointly controlled entities, and available-for-sale financial assets. Unallocated results primarily represent the share of results of associates and jointly controlled entities.

 

(b)The Group’s business segments operate in three main geographical areas, even though they are managed on a worldwide basis.

 

The Group’s revenues by geographical segment are analysed based on the following criteria:

 

(1)Traffic revenue from services within the PRC (excluding the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“Hong Kong”), Macau Special Administrative Region (“Macau”) and Taiwan, (collectively known as “Regional”)) is classified as domestic operations. Traffic revenue from inbound and outbound services between overseas markets excluding Regional is classified as international operations.

 

(2)Revenue from ticket handling services, ground services, cargo handling service and other miscellaneous services are classified on the basis of where the services are performed.

 

   (Unaudited) 
   Six months ended 30 June 
   2012   2011 
   RMB’000   RMB’000 
         
Domestic (the PRC, excluding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan)   27,033,403    26,665,770 
International   11,579,840    10,260,432 
Regional (Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan)   1,789,537    1,855,952 
           
Total   40,402,780    38,782,154 

 

The major revenue-earning assets of the Group are its aircraft, all of which are registered in the PRC. Since the Group’s aircraft are deployed flexibly across its route network, there is no suitable basis of allocating such assets and the related liabilities by geographic and hence segment assets and capital expenditure by geographic have not been presented.

 

- 14 -
 

 

(c)Reconciliation of reportable segment revenue, profit, assets and liabilities to the consolidated figures as reported in the consolidated financial information.

 

       (Unaudited) 
       Six months ended 30 June 
       2012   2011 
   Note   RMB’000   RMB’000 
             
Revenue               
Reportable segment revenue        40,402,780    38,782,154 
– Reclassification of business tax  (i)    (339,426)   (776,340)
– Reclassification of expired sales in advance of carriage  (i)    150,000    73,376 
                
Consolidated revenue        40,213,354    38,079,190 

 

       (Unaudited) 
       Six months ended 30 June 
       2012   2011 
   Note   RMB’000   RMB’000 
             
Profit before income tax               
Reportable segment profit        1,067,561    2,642,834 
– Difference in depreciation of aircraft and engines  (ii)    (3,136)   (3,283)
– Provision for post-retirement benefits  (iii)    (196,101)   (176,168)
– Others            4,210 
                
Consolidated profit before income tax        868,324    2,467,593 

 

       (Unaudited)   (Audited) 
       30 June   31 December 
       2012   2011 
   Note   RMB’000   RMB’000 
             
Assets               
Reportable segment assets        118,084,086    112,215,152 
– Difference in depreciation of aircraft and engines  (ii)    71,723    74,859 
– Difference in intangible asset (goodwill) arising from the acquisition of Shanghai Airlines  (iv)    2,760,665    2,760,665 
– Others        35,360    (311,795)
                
Consolidated total assets        120,951,834    114,738,881 

 

- 15 -
 

 

 

       (Unaudited)   (Audited) 
       30 June   31 December 
       2012   2011 
   Note   RMB’000   RMB’000 
             
Liabilities            
Reportable segment liabilities        95,067,446    90,069,739 
– Provision for post-retirement benefits   (iii)    3,139,530    2,943,428 
– Others        (79,393)   (79,393)
                
Consolidated total liabilities        98,127,583    92,933,774 

 

Notes:

 

(i)The difference represents the different classification of business tax and expired sales in advance of carriage under PRC Accounting Standards and IFRS.

 

(ii)The difference is attributable to the differences in the useful lives and residual values of aircraft and engines adopted for depreciation purpose in prior years under PRC Accounting Standards and IFRS. Despite the depreciation policies of these assets have been unified under IFRS and the PRC Accounting Standards in recent years, the changes were applied prospectively as changes in accounting estimates which results in the differences in the carrying amounts and related depreciation charges under IFRS and PRC Accounting Standards.

 

(iii)In accordance with the PRC Accounting Standards, certain employees’ post-retirement benefits are recognised upon actually incurred. Under IFRS, such post-retirement benefits under defined benefit schemes are required to be recognised over the employees’ service period using projected unit credit method.

 

(iv)The determination of the fair values of the acquisition costs and identifiable assets and liabilities of Shanghai Airlines acquired is different under IFRS and the PRC Accounting Standards, which results in difference in the intangibles/goodwill recognised arising from the acquisition.

 

8.FINANCE COSTS

 

   (Unaudited) 
   Six months ended 30 June 
   2012   2011 
   RMB’000   RMB’000 
         
Interest on bank borrowings   717,364    676,570 
Interest relating to obligations under finance leases   182,393    150,879 
Interest on bond   50,000     
Interest relating to notes payable   35,251    12,913 
           
    985,008    840,362 
Less: amounts capitalised into advanced payments on acquisition of aircraft (Note)   (138,407)   (120,439)
  amounts capitalised into construction in progress (Note)       (3,904)
           
    846,601    716,019 

  

Note:

 

The average interest rate used for interest capitalisation is 3.78% per annum for the six months ended 30 June 2012 (2011: 3.91%).

 

- 16 -
 

 

 

9.EXCHANGE (LOSSES)/GAINS, NET

 

The exchange (losses)/gains for the six months ended 30 June 2012 and 2011 primarily related to the translation of the Group’s foreign currency denominated borrowings and obligations under finance leases at period-end exchange rates.

 

10.INCOME TAX

 

Income tax charged to the condensed consolidated income statement is as follows:

 

 

   (Unaudited) 
   Six months ended 30 June 
   2012   2011 
   RMB’000   RMB’000 
         
Provision for PRC income tax   178,833    122,073 
Deferred taxation   (3,368)   (2,106)
           
    175,465    119,967 

 

Prior to 2008, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (the “Pudong Subsidiaries”) located in Pudong District, Shanghai, were entitled to a reduced rate of 15% pursuant to the preferential tax policy in Pudong District, Shanghai. Under the Corporate Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic of China (the “New CIT Law”) which was approved by the National People’s Congress on 16 March 2007 and became effective from 1 January 2008, the Company and the Pudong Subsidiaries are entitled to a transitional arrangement to gradually increase the applicable corporate income tax rate to 25% over the next five years from 2008. For the six months ended 30 June 2012, the corporate income tax rate applicable to the Company and the Pudong Subsidiaries was 25% (2011: 24%). Other subsidiaries of the Company, except for those incorporated in Hong Kong which are subject to the Hong Kong corporate income tax rate of 16.5% (2011:16.5%), are generally subject to the PRC standard corporate tax rate of 25% (2011: 25%) under the New CIT Law.

 

The Group operates international flights to overseas destinations. There was no material overseas taxation for the six months ended 30 June 2012, as there are double tax treaties between the PRC and the corresponding jurisdictions (including Hong Kong) relating to aviation businesses.

 

11.EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on the unaudited consolidated profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Company of approximately RMB807 million (2011: RMB2,279 million) and the weighted average number of shares of 11,276,539,000 (2011: 11,276,539,000) in issue during the six months ended 30 June 2012.

 

The Company has no potentially dilutive option or other instruments relating to ordinary shares.

 

12.DIVIDEND

 

The Board has not recommended any interim dividend for the six months ended 30 June 2012 (2011: Nil).

 

13.PROFIT APPROPRIATION

 

No appropriation to the statutory reserves has been made during the six months ended 30 June 2012. Such appropriations will be made at year end in accordance with the PRC regulations and the Articles of Association of individual group companies.

 

- 17 -
 

 

14.INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

   (Unaudited)   (Audited) 
   30 June   31 December 
   2012   2011 
   RMB’000   RMB’000 
         
Goodwill (Note)   11,269,695    11,269,695 
Other intangible assets   122,594    83,895 
           
    11,392,289    11,353,590 

 

Note: 

 

The balance represents the goodwill arising from the acquisition of Shanghai Airlines. The goodwill is attributable to strengthening the competitiveness of the Group’s airlines operation business, attaining synergy through integration of the resources and providing the evolution of Shanghai international air transportation center.

 

15.PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

   (Unaudited) 
   Six months ended 30 June 2012 
   Aircraft, engines         
   and flight         
   equipment   Others   Total 
   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000 
             
Carrying amounts at 1 January 2012   65,603,566    8,154,229    73,757,795 
Transfers from advanced payments on acquisition of aircraft (Note 16)   3,356,945        3,356,945 
Other additions   3,310,715    1,524,246    4,834,961 
Depreciation charges   (3,270,555)   (323,628)   (3,594,183)
Disposals   (31,066)   (45,320)   (76,386)
                
Carrying amounts at 30 June 2012   68,969,605    9,309,527    78,279,132 

  

   (Unaudited) 
   Six months ended 30 June 2011 
   Aircraft, engines         
   and flight         
   equipment   Others   Total 
   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000 
             
Carrying amounts at 1 January 2011   62,119,354    6,702,919    68,822,273 
Transfers from advanced payments on acquisition of aircraft (Note 16)   1,173,689        1,173,689 
Other additions   2,306,250    969,446    3,275,696 
Depreciation charges   (3,024,841)   (302,392)   (3,327,233)
Disposals       (12,131)   (12,131)
                
Carrying amounts at 30 June 2011   62,574,452    7,357,842    69,932,294 

  

- 18 -
 

 

16.ADVANCED PAYMENTS ON ACQUISITION OF AIRCRAFT

 

   (Unaudited) 
   Six months ended 30 June 
   2012   2011 
   RMB’000   RMB’000 
         
At beginning of period   10,968,344    6,356,602 
Additions   2,193,244    3,857,689 
Interest capitalised (Note 8)   138,407    120,439 
Transfers to property, plant and equipment (Note 15)   (3,356,945)   (1,173,689)
           
At end of period   9,943,050    9,161,041 

 

17.TRADE RECEIVABLES

 

The credit terms given to trade customers are determined on an individual basis, with credit periods generally ranging from half a month to two months.

 

The aging analysis of trade receivables is as follows:

 

   (Unaudited)   (Audited) 
   30 June   31 December 
   2012   2011 
   RMB’000   RMB’000 
         
Within 90 days   2,755,648    2,096,474 
91 to 180 days   60,594    71,437 
181 to 365 days   30,301    35,246 
Over 365 days   196,445    212,828 
           
    3,042,988    2,415,985 
Less: provision for impairment of receivables   (188,371)   (218,492)
           
Trade receivables   2,854,617    2,197,493 

 

Balances with related parties included in trade receivables are summarised in Note 23(b)(i).

 

18.TRADE PAYABLES AND NOTES PAYABLE

 

The aging analyses of trade payables and notes payable is as follows:

 

   (Unaudited)   (Audited) 
   30 June   31 December 
   2012   2011 
   RMB’000   RMB’000 
         
Within 90 days   1,749,514    1,761,478 
91 to 180 days   624,671    217,331 
181 to 365 days   754,425    409,475 
Over 365 days   420,512    304,340 
           
    3,549,122    2,692,624 

 

As at 30 June 2012, the trade payables and notes payable balances of the Group included amounts due to related parties of RMB1,450 million (2011: RMB1,216 million) (Note 23 (b)(ii)).

 

- 19 -
 

 

 

As at 30 June 2012, notes payable amounted to RMB500 million (2011: RMB48 million), which mainly were unsecured bore effective interests rates ranged from 4.63% to 4.68% (2011: 6% to 8%) and are repayable within six months.

 

19.OBLIGATIONS UNDER FINANCE LEASES

 

   (Unaudited)   (Audited) 
   30 June   31 December 
   2012   2011 
   RMB’000   RMB’000 
         
Within one year   2,396,777    2,459,259 
In the second year   2,370,036    2,558,094 
In the third to fifth year inclusive   7,232,066    7,235,211 
After the fifth year   9,219,312    8,008,258 
           
Total   21,218,191    20,260,822 
Less: amount repayable within one year   (2,396,777)   (2,459,259)
           
Long-term portion   18,821,414    17,801,563 

 

20.BORROWINGS

 

   (Unaudited)   (Audited) 
   30 June   31 December 
   2012   2011 
   RMB’000   RMB’000 
         
Non-current        
Long-term bank borrowings        
– Secured   14,074,374    11,988,500 
– Unsecured   5,924,932    9,114,963 
Guaranteed bonds   2,500,000    2,500,000 
           
    22,499,306    23,603,463 
Current          
Long-term bank borrowings          
– Secured   2,461,973    1,973,744 
– Unsecured   5,265,594    4,743,506 
Short-term bank borrowings          
– Secured   1,002,500    221,948 
– Unsecured   14,131,707    11,231,932 
           
    22,861,774    18,171,130 
           
Total borrowings   45,361,080    41,774,593 

 

- 20 -
 

 

21.SHARE CAPITAL

 

   (Unaudited)   (Audited) 
   30 June   31 December 
   2012   2011 
   RMB’000   RMB’000 
         
Registered, issued and fully paid of RMB1.00 each          
           
A shares listed on The Shanghai Stock Exchange (“A Shares”)   7,782,214    7,782,214 
– Tradable shares held by CEA Holding with trading moratorium   4,831,375    4,831,375 
– Tradable shares held by other investors with trading moratorium (Note)       288,889 
– Tradable shares without trading moratorium (Note)   2,950,839    2,661,950 
           
H shares listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (“H Shares”)   3,494,325    3,494,325 
– Tradable shares held by CES Global Holding (Hong Kong)          
Limited with trading moratorium (Note)       1,437,375 
– Tradable shares without trading moratorium (Note)   3,494,325    2,056,950 
           
    11,276,539    11,276,539 

 

Pursuant to articles 49 and 50 of the Company’s Articles of Association, both the listed A shares and the listed H shares are all registered ordinary shares and carry equal rights.

 

Note:

 

During the six months ended 30 June 2012, listed A shares of 288,889 thousand and listed H shares of 1,437,375 thousand with trading moratorium became listed and tradable.

 

22.COMMITMENTS

 

(a)Capital commitments

 

The Group had the following capital commitments:

 

   (Unaudited)   (Audited) 
   30 June   31 December 
   2012   2011 
   RMB’000   RMB’000 
         
Authorised and contracted for:          
– Aircraft, engines and flight equipment   145,578,077    108,297,645 
– Other property, plant and equipment   424,431    568,565 
           
    146,002,508    108,866,210 
Authorised but not contracted for:          
– Aircraft, engines and flight equipment   1,822,121    3,193,495 
           
    147,824,629    112,059,705 

 

- 21 -
 

  

(b)Operating lease commitments

 

As at the balance sheet date, the Group had commitments under operating leases to pay future minimum lease rentals as follows:

 

   (Unaudited)   (Audited) 
   30 June 2012   31 December 2011 
   Aircraft,       Aircraft,     
   engines       engines     
   and flight   Land and   and flight   Land and 
   equipment   buildings   equipment   buildings 
   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000 
                 
Within one year   3,607,722    425,207    3,750,437    241,693 
In the second year   3,358,728    146,525    3,545,992    212,170 
In the third to fifth year inclusive   7,599,897    387,632    8,256,751    335,454 
After the fifth year   6,302,638    2,142,074    5,368,641    2,767,760 
                     
    20,868,985    3,101,438    20,921,821    3,557,077 

 

23.RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The Group is controlled by CEA Holding, which directly owns 42.84% of the Company’s shares as at 30 June 2012 (2011: 42.84%). In addition, through CES Global Holding (Hong Kong) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of CEA Holding, CEA Holding owns approximately 17.09% of the Company’s shares as at 30 June 2012 (2011: 17.09%).

  

(a)Related party transactions

 

 

        (Unaudited)  
        Income/(expense or payments)  
        Six months ended 30 June  
        2012     2011  
Nature of transactions   Related party   RMB’000     RMB’000  
                 
With CEA Holding or companies directly or indirectly held by CEA Holding:        
                 
Interest income on deposits at an average rate of 0.35% per annum (2011: 0.36% per annum)   Eastern Air Group Finance Co., Ltd. (“Eastern Finance”)   20,959     11,370  
                 
Interest expense on loans at rate of 4.57% (2011: 4.88%) per annum   Eastern Finance   (110,250 )   (32,227 )
                 
Commission expense on air tickets sold on behalf of the Group, at rates ranging from 3% to 9% of the value of tickets sold   Shanghai Dongmei Aviation Travel Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Dongmei”) and its subsidiaries   (8,425 )     (8,756 )

 

 

- 22 -
 

 

 

        (Unaudited)  
        Income/(expense or payments)  
        Six months ended 30 June  
        2012     2011  
Nature of transactions   Related party   RMB’000     RMB’000  
                 
Handling charges of 0.1% to 2% for purchase of aircraft, flight equipment, flight equipment spare parts, other property, plant and flight equipment and repairs for aircraft and engines   Eastern Aviation Import & Export Co., Ltd. (“Eastern Import & Export”)   (37,207 )   (23,562 )
                 
Repairs and maintenance expense for aircraft and engines   Shanghai Eastern Union Aviation Wheels & Brakes Overhaul Engineering Co., Ltd.   (28,677 )   (24,914 )
                 
    Shanghai Technologies Aerospace Co., Ltd.   (68,767 )   (82,097 )
                 
    Shanghai Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Engine Maintenance Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai P&W”)   (798,290 )   (496,763 )
                 
Supply of food and beverages   Shanghai Eastern Air Catering Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Catering”) and its subsidiaries   (387,607 )   (236,572 )
                 
Advertising expense   Eastern Aviation Advertising Services Co., Ltd.   (6,151 )   (12,797 )
                 
Media royalty fee   Eastern Aviation Advertising Services Co., Ltd.   6,934     6,450  
                 
Maintenance and repair services fee   CEA Development Co., Ltd.   (58,648 )   (27,163 )
                 
    Shanghai Hute Aviation Technology Co., Ltd.   (20,301 )   (14,320 )
                 
Land and building rental   CEA Holding   (21,751 )   (21,751 )

 

- 23 -
 

 

(b)Balances with related parties

 

(i)Amounts due from related parties

 

     (Unaudited)   (Audited) 
     30 June   31 December 
     2012   2011 
Nature  Company   RMB’000   RMB’000 
             
Trade receivables   Kunming Dongmei Aviation Travel Co., Ltd.    3,148    211 
            
    Shanghai Eastern Aviation International Travel and Transportation Co., Ltd.    –     11,012  
   Others    1,450    2,340 
                
         4,598    13,563 
                
Other receivables   Eastern Import & Export    94,222    218,753 
   Eastern China Kaiya System Integration    14,648    16,189 
   Others    19,010    14,923 
                
       127,880    249,865 

 

All the amounts due from related parties are trade in nature, interest free and payable within normal credit terms given to trade customers.

 

(ii)Amounts due to related parties

 

     (Unaudited)   (Audited) 
     30 June   31 December 
     2012   2011 
Nature  Company   RMB’000   RMB’000 
             
Trade payables and notes   Eastern Import & Export    883,227    747,179 
Payable   Shanghai P&W    372,905    278,778 
   Shanghai Catering    121,562    120,260 
   Others    72,061    70,095 
                
       1,449,755    1,216,312 
                
Other payables and accrued   CEA Holding    76,925    87,115 
expenses   Others    13,508    9,475 
                
       90,433    96,590 

 

Except for the amounts due to CEA Holding, which are reimbursement in nature, all other amounts due to related parties are trade in nature. All notes payable amounts due to related parties are interest free and payable within normal credit terms given by trade creditors.

 

- 24 -
 

 

(iii)Short-term deposits and borrowings with an associate and CEA Holding

 

   Average interest rate   (Unaudited)   (Audited) 
   30 June   31 December   30 June   31 December 
   2012   2011   2012   2011 
           RMB’000   RMB’000 
                 
Short-term deposits (included in Prepayments, Deposits and Other Receivables) in Eastern Finance   0.35%   0.50%   1,627,261    2,204,510 
                     
Short-term borrowings (included in Borrowings) from Eastern Finance   5.51%   5.02%   1,577,097    176,425 
                     
Long-term borrowings (included in Borrowings) from Eastern Finance   6.02%   5.64%   165,000    135,000 

 

(c)Guarantees by holding company

 

As at 30 June 2012, bank borrowings of the Group with an aggregate amount of RMB215 million (2011: RMB284 million) were guaranteed by CEA Holding.

 

24.SEASONALITY

 

The civil aviation industry is subject to seasonal fluctuations, with peak demand during the holiday season in the second half of the year. As such, the revenues and results of the Group in the first half of the year are generally lower than those in the second half of the year.

 

25.POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS

 

On 24 August 2012, Eastern Air Overseas (Hong Kong) Corporation Limited (“EAO”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, has entered into a shareholders’ agreement with Jetstar International Group Holdings Co. Limited (“JIGH”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Qantas, pursuant to which EAO and JIGH agreed to establish Jetstar Hong Kong, a Hong Kong-based low-cost airline. The capital of Jetstar Hong Kong is up to USD198million and EAO and JIGH will contribute the capital in same percentage and same amount.

 

- 25 -
 

 

SELECTED OPERATING INFORMATION

 

   For the six months ended 30 June 
   2012   2011   Change 
             
Capacity            
ATK (available tonne-kilometres) (millions)   9,537.29    8,801.27    8.36%
– Domestic routes   5,019.07    4,823.68    4.05%
– International routes   4,170.52    3,577.97    16.56%
– Regional routes   347.70    399.62    –12.99%
                
ASK (available seat-kilometres) (millions)   65,190.62    62,298.77    4.64%
– Domestic routes   45,180.79    42,687.84    5.84%
– International routes   17,460.55    16,904.96    3.29%
– Regional routes   2,549.29    2,705.97    –5.79%
                
AFTK (available freight tonne-kilometres) (millions)   3,670.13    3,194.38    14.89%
– Domestic routes   952.80    981.77    –2.95%
– International routes   2,599.07    2,056.52    26.38%
– Regional routes   118.26    156.08    –24.23%
                
Hours flown (thousands)   675.40    622.17    8.56%
                
Traffic               
RTK (revenue tonne-kilometres) (millions)   6,860.66    6,250.89    9.75%
– Domestic routes   3,633.80    3,488.23    4.17%
– International routes   3,002.16    2,517.98    19.23%
– Regional routes   224.70    244.69    –8.17%
                
RPK (revenue passenger-kilometres) (millions)   51,546.12    48,563.76    6.14%
– Domestic routes   35,909.13    34,140.21    5.18%
– International routes   13,737.59    12,510.66    9.81%
– Regional routes   1,899.41    1,912.89    –0.70%
                
RFTK (revenue freight tonne-kilometres) (millions)  2,267.02    1,921.19      18.00  %
– Domestic routes   429.43    439.60    –2.31%
– International routes   1,781.11    1,406.24    26.66%
– Regional routes   56.47    75.36    –25.07%

 

- 26 -
 

 

   For the six months ended 30 June 
   2012   2011   Change 
             
Number of passengers carried (thousands)   34,613.85    33,245.59    4.12%
– Domestic routes   29,429.41    28,445.13    3.46%
– International routes   3,813.17    3,443.81    10.73%
– Regional routes   1,371.27    1,356.64    1.08%
                
Weight of freight carried (kg) (millions)   682.30    666.49    2.37%
– Domestic routes   317.47    331.41    –4.21%
– International routes   319.12    275.17    15.97%
– Regional routes   45.71    59.92    –23.71%
                
Load factors               
Overall load factor (%)   71.94    71.02    0.92 pts 
– Domestic routes   72.40    72.31    0.09 pts 
– International routes   71.99    70.37    1.62 pts 
– Regional routes   64.62    61.23    3.39 pts 
                
Passenger load factor (%)   79.07    77.95    1.12 pts 
– Domestic routes   79.48    79.98    –0.50 pts 
– International routes   78.68    74.01    4.67 pts 
– Regional routes   74.51    70.69    3.82 pts 
                
Freight load factor (%)   61.77    60.14    1.63 pts 
– Domestic routes   45.07    44.78    0.29 pts 
– International routes   68.53    68.38    0.15 pts 
– Regional routes   47.75    48.28    –0.53 pts 
                
Yields and costs*               
Revenue tonne-kilometres yield (RMB)   5.48    5.66    –3.18%
– Domestic routes   6.65    6.68    –0.45%
– International routes   3.87    4.07    –4.91%
– Regional routes   7.92    7.54    5.04%
                
Passenger-kilometres yield (RMB)   0.65    0.65    0.00%
– Domestic routes   0.65    0.66    –1.52%
– International routes   0.62    0.61    1.64%
– Regional routes   0.82    0.80    2.50%
                
Freight tonne-kilometres yield (RMB)   1.77    1.86    –4.84%
– Domestic routes   1.57    1.44    9.03%
– International routes   1.74    1.87    –6.95%
– Regional routes   3.92    4.19    –6.44%

 

*The implementation of the policy change from business tax to value-added tax had the following influence: a decrease of transportation revenue of RMB1.902 billion, a decrease of operating costs of RMB1.395 billion, and an increase of total profit before income tax of RMB71 million. Therefore, the relevant financial data including revenue and costs recorded for the first half of 2012 is not comparable to those recorded for the same period last year. Therefore, the aforesaid yield and costs are not comparable.

 

- 27 -
 

 

Fleet structure

 

   Fleet structure as at 30 June 2012 
       Self-owned   Under     
       and under   operating     
No.  Model   finance lease   lease   Sub-total 
                 
Passenger aircraft                
1   A340-600    5        5 
2   A330-300    8    7    15 
3   A330-200    8    3    11 
4   A300-600R    7        7 
5   A321    24        24 
6   A320    96    32    128 
7   A319    5    10    15 
8   B767    6    1    7 
9   B757-200    5    5    10 
10   B737-800    16    50    66 
11   B737-700    35    19    54 
12   B737-300    16        16 
13   CRJ-200    8        8 
14   EMB-145LR    10        10 
                     
Total number of passenger aircraft        249    127    376 
                     
Freighter                    
15   MD-11F        3    3 
16   A300-600R    3        3 
17   B747    2    3    5 
18   B757-200F        2    2 
19   B777F        6    6 
                     
Total number of freighters        5    14    19 
                     
Total number of aircraft        254    141    395 
                     
Percentage        64.30%   35.70%   100%

 

- 28 -
 

 

CORPORATE PROFILE

 

Headquartered in Shanghai, the Group is one of the three major airlines in China. Currently, it has more than 60,000 staff members, 11 branches and 50 overseas offices. It also has over 24 subsidiaries including Shanghai Airlines, Eastern Airlines Yunnan Co., Ltd., China Cargo Airlines and China United Airlines Co., Ltd (“China United Airlines”). Operating a fleet of 395 large-and-medium-sized aircrafts with an average age of less than 7 years. As a member of SkyTeam, CEA has extended its flight network from Shanghai to 983 cities in 178 countries via close cooperation with SkyTeam member airlines. Our Eastern Miles frequent flyer program, which has been in place for more than 12 years, now has more than 10 million members and has laid a solid customer base for the Group. Meanwhile, members of Eastern Miles can participate in the mileage accumulation and redemption program of 17 SkyTeam member airlines, enjoy member benefits and use more than 500 VIP lounges across the world. Following the concept of “providing heart-to-heart service to our customers”, CEA strives to become an excellent airline company that is “cherished by staff, preferred by customers, satisfied by shareholders and trusted by society”.

 

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Review of Operations

 

In the first half of 2012, confronted by the global economic downturn, the weak domestic and international aviation market, the high and fluctuating crude oil prices, the operation of the PRC high-speed railway resulting in the decrease on airline passengers, and the slowdown of the appreciation of the Renminbi etc., the Company pushed ahead its development at steady pace by reinforcing its safety foundation, enhancing its operating capability, improving its brand image, expediting its reform and integration, and strengthening its management improvement. In the first half of 2012, the Company recorded positive profit in its results of operations, in spite of the challenging operating environment.

 

In the first half of 2012, the Company attained 675,400 hours of safe flying, representing an increase of 8.56% from the same period last year. Total traffic volume was 6,860.66 million tonne-kilometres, representing an increase of 9.75% from the same period last year. Revenue was RMB40,213 million and total operating profit was RMB1,788 million, representing a decrease of 21.27% from the same period last year. Net profit was RMB693 million, representing a decrease of 70.49% from the same period last year. The pilot tax policy of “changing from business tax to value-added tax” implemented since 1 January 2012 had the following influence on the financial data of the Group: a decrease of transportation revenue of RMB1,902 million, a decrease of operating costs of RMB1,395 million and an increase of total profit before income tax of RMB71 million.

  

Fuel costs represented the largest operating costs of the Group. In the first half of 2012, fuel price fluctuated at a high level, and the average fuel price was 10.07% higher than that of the same period last year, which had a significant impact on the results of operations of the Group. In the first half of the year, total expenditure on aviation fuel of the Group was RMB14,671 million, representing an increase of 9.67% compared to the same period last year, reflecting the cost pressure exerted by fuel prices on the Group and the increase of capacity in the first half of the year.

 

- 29 -
 

  

In the first half of 2012, the Group carried 34.61 million passengers, representing an increase of 4.12% over the same period last year, and achieved a passenger traffic volume of 51,546.12 million passenger kilometres, representing an increase of 6.14% over the same period last year. Passenger revenues increased by 5.57% to RMB33,566 million as compared with that of the same period last year. Despite the slowdown of growth in the domestic passenger transport market, it was considered stable. The Company has a satisfactory performance in terms of output-input ratio and a substantial increase from the same period last year in the patronage of frequent flyers.

 

In the first half of 2012, the Group carried 682.30 million kilograms of cargo and mail, representing an increase of 2.37% from the same period last year. The cargo and mail traffic volume was 2,267.02 million tonne-kilometres, representing an increase of 18.00% from the same period last year. Cargo and mail traffic revenues were RMB4,004 million, representing an increase of 11.81% from the same period last year. However, due to the general downturn and sustained decline of the global freight transport market, the cargo and mail traffic revenues of the Group dropped in the first half of the year and losses were recorded in the Group’s cargo and mail business.

 

Operations

 

Safety Management

 

Adhering to the principle of safety first and taking the initiative of striving for safety, the Group was committed to creating a support system for safety management and ensuring the steady and controllable implementation of safe operations. In the first half of 2012, we commenced specific measures under the theme of “avoiding lighting strike, avoiding hard landing, avoiding communication failure and avoiding slack willpower”, to fix the existing and hidden problems with safety operations; we also formulated a work plan and implementation proposals of Safety Management System (SMS) with the relevant teams to provide re-training on SMS to all staff members, so that SMS can be reinforced on a gradual basis. In addition, the Nantong airport training base was established to gather and transfer aircraft for centralized training and for reinforcing flying skills.

 

Route Network

 

In the first half of 2012, while pushing forward the hub construction in Shanghai, Beijing, Kunming and Xi’an, the Group increased the capacity for the western and northern regions of the PRC by increasing the frequency of flights in certain routes, including northwest regions of the PRC to Beijing, Lanzhou to Beijing, Chengdu to Jiuzhai, and Xi’an to Jiuzhai. We also increased the capacity for the markets of highland region and grassland region by increasing the capacity for Lhasa routes and Inner Mongolia routes. For international routes, the Group increased the capacity on Japan routes by deploying aircraft of newer models and increasing the frequency of flights, so as to introduce new routes from Shanghai to Okinawa, Okayama, Hiroshima and Matsuyama, and increase the frequency of long-haul flights from Shanghai to Paris, Rome and Vancouver. In the first half of 2012, the Group had additional cooperation with four SkyTeam members, namely, China Southern Airlines Co., Ltd, Air France, Delta Airlines, Inc. and Alitalia Airlines on code-sharing for 234 medium and long-haul domestic and international routes.

 

- 30 -
 

 

 

Optimization of Fleet

 

In the first half of 2012, the Company received 24 aircraft, most of which are narrow-type aircraft, and will be mainly used for meeting the requirement of operating short and medium-haul domestic routes.

 

In the first half of 2012, the Company disposed of 6 aircraft. By disposing of A340-300 and Hawker800 aircraft, the Company streamlined the models of the fleet. It not only optimized our fleet structure but also reduced the operating costs of the Company.

 

As at 30 June 2012, the Group operated 395 aircraft, including 376 passenger aircraft and 19 freighters.

 

Change in aircraft in the first half of Year 2012
    Manner of       No. of           No. of
    introduction   Model   aircraft       Model   aircraft
                         
Introduced aircraft   Self-owned
and under finance lease
  A320   8   Sold aircraft   A340-300   5
                       
        A321   2       Hawker800   1
        A330-200   4            
                         
    Under operating lease   A320   8            
        B737-800   2            
    Total       24       Total   6

 

Passenger Traffic Business

 

In the first half of 2012, while maintaining its performance in organizing traditional sales and solidifying the existing market, the Group proactively explored new channels of development and optimized its electronic commerce platform, to continually raise its organization capability in sales and its understanding of and reaction to the market by: (i) enhancing the expansion of sales channels via intensifying the structure formation at capillary-level to establish 6 sales offices at Changzhou, Nantong, Huzhou, Kunshan, Jiangyin and Suzhou; making efforts to push ahead the localization of overseas business; promoting the Group’s customer business globally at CEA’s sales outlets; carrying out cross sales at the respective official websites of four SkyTeam members namely CEA, China Southern Airlines, Xiamen Airlines and China Airlines, and sales within campus networks; (ii) enriching the categories of marketing products. The Group launched products of “Three regions in Southern China” focusing on Yunnan, Hainan and Jiangnan markets, and also bundled products called “Journey to the West” for travelling in western China through Xi’an for the whole year; and embarked upon the first online sale of three sub-products namely “暢行專享” (Smooth Travel and Previlege), “U+隨享” (U+ Enjoyment) and “升艙體驗” (Upgrade Experience); and (iii) enhancing external cooperation on sales and marketing. Collaboration was forged with Shanghai Railway Bureau and, via our air-rail transportation products, bilateral transportation has been achieved to date on railways running through Suzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Ningbo and Taizhou, and on aviation of our Group’s flights at the Hongqiao Airport and Pudong Airport in Shanghai. The Group also cooperated with overseas travel-related bodies for cross- border cooperation and launched various cooperative travel-related products.

 

- 31 -
 

 

Freight Business

 

In the first half of 2012, the Group further reinforced the centralized control at headquarters by adopting a refined model of sales and control at headquarters and pushing forward the construction of a management control system of cabin space and price at headquarters. In addition, the Group was committed to the sales strategy of “growing strong in Shanghai, doing well in eastern China and keeping up in western China”, whereby the Group deepened its knowledge of the market demand via the customer-oriented sales model, so that its traditional market share centered at Shanghai can be boosted. The “capillary level” formation was also enhanced in the Yangtze River Delta market, whereby the Group achieved full coverage of sales network in Hangzhou, Ningbo, Yiwu, Wenzhou, Taizhou and Zhoushan. The Group also boosted the capacity deployment in the market of southwestern China and cooperation with local entities. In addition, we also stepped up our efforts in development of time-limited products, special deal products, joint transportation products and electronic commerce, whereby time-limited products for journeys from Shanghai to Seoul and Amsterdam were launched and express products for journeys from Shanghai to London and from Shanghai to Paris were initiated. Such express routes were also expanded from Shanghai to North America, Southeast Asia and Hong Kong and Taiwan regions.

 

Cost Control

 

In the first half of 2012, the Company continued to implement and reinforce its budget and process control through the three segments namely “budget preparation, process control and result evaluation”. In the meantime, the Company also proactively explored its financing channels and optimized financing mode to seek to reduce finance costs. In addition, the Company continued to embark upon its cost optimization management and strive to reduce operating costs and expenditure.

 

Being faced with high oil prices, the Company adopted various measures to reduce unit consumption, for example by the proactive implementation of DOC (direct operating costs) system to seek to attain of the optimal proportion of fuel consumption and flying time, striving to reduce the time of ground gliding and waiting, and the adoption of new technology and new energy etc.

 

Reform and Integration

 

In the first half of 2012, working around the construction of four hubs namely Pudong, Hongqiao, Xi’an and Kunming, the Group carried out internal resources integration and pioneered to establish the hub control centre (HCC) in Shanghai, for the formation of its hub supporting system. In its proactive response to the global demand for low-cost rapid development, the Company announced its cooperation with Qantas Airways Limited (“Qantas”), to establish a low-cost airline in Hong Kong by leveraging the low-cost Jetstar brand owned by Qantas. This project is in progress for the time being. At the same time, the Company is pushing ahead with the transformation and development of its freight transportation business. By the restructuring and integration of China Cargo Airlines and Shanghai Eastern Airlines Logistics Co., Ltd, the Company has optimized the logistics industry chain so as to realise the strategic goal of achieving the business model of combining the flying and ground logistics services and transitional development.

 

- 32 -
 

 

Service Brand

 

With SKYTRAX star rating as the signpost, the Group proactively pushed ahead with the enhancement and renovation of its hardware and software services and products, the refinement of its high-end customer services and products and the launch of customized services. In the first half of 2012, leveraging the opportunities brought by the relocation of airports in Kunming and Xi’an, the Group renovated the VIP areas in its Kunming and Xi’an regional hubs. Entertainment systems in passenger cabins was optimized by adding various entertainment items and increasing the updating frequency. Cooperation was forged with world-renowned hotel operators to design and develop cuisines to serve in the first class and business class cabins. The Group also completed the implementation of the first full-alliance (SkyTeam) service product “天合優享” (SkyTeam Enjoyment) in 7 stations namely Shanghai (Hongqiao and Pudong), Beijing, Paris, Xiamen, Shenzhen and Guangzhou. The Group also adjusted the target customers of the “東方尊享” (CEA Privilege) service products, and identified the intrinsic and extrinsic significance of the “東方尊享” (CEA Privilege) service products. The Group also pushed ahead with the refinement of the functions of high-end customer service information system and added short-message-system alert etc..

 

In July 2012, the Company was awarded “The World’s Most Improved Airline” in the 2012 Skytrax World Airline Awards.

 

Information Technology

 

In the first half of 2012, the Group continually pushed forward the construction of its modern information technology system and enhanced the capability of information technology in supporting the development of our business. The overseas sales websites of the Group were successively brought online in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. In addition, the Group has expedited the implementation of self-help check-in service including online check-in, mobile check-in, and self-help machine etc., and online check-in is already made available to all travelers at more than 40 ports, while CEA’s featured short-message-system service named “東方伴你行短訊關懷” has also been made available at the same time. In addition, the Group carried out the promotion of its system and management processes and focused on the promotion of systems of joint business operation, SAP (software for enterprise administration planning), management of in-flight supplies and management of VIP rooms.

 

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

 

Operating revenues

 

In the first half of 2012, the total traffic volume of the Group was 6,861 million tonne-kilometres, representing an increase of 9.75% from the same period last year, while traffic revenues were RMB37,569 million, representing an increase of 6.20% from the same period last year.

 

In the first half of 2012, the passenger traffic volume of the Group was 51,546 million passenger-kilometres, representing an increase of 6.14% from the same period last year. Compared to the same period last year, passenger revenues increased by 5.57% to RMB33,566 million, accounting for 89.34% of the Group’s transportation revenues.

 

- 33 -
 

 

In the first half of 2012, passenger traffic volume on domestic routes was 35,909 million passenger-kilometres, representing an increase of 5.18% from the same period last year. Compared to the same period last year, domestic passenger revenues increased by 3.77% to RMB23,508 million, accounting for 70.04% of total passenger revenues.

 

In the first half of 2012, passenger traffic volume on international routes was 13,738 million passenger-kilometres, representing an increase of 9.81% from the same period last year. Compared to the same period last year, international passenger revenues increased by 11.67% to RMB8,499 million, accounting for 25.32% of total passenger revenues.

 

In the first half of 2012, passenger traffic volume on regional routes was 1,899 million passenger-kilometres, representing a decrease of 0.70% from the same period last year. Compared to the same period last year, regional passenger revenues increased by 1.90% to RMB1,559 million, accounting for 4.64% of total passenger revenues.

 

In the first half of 2012, cargo and mail traffic volume was 2,267 million tonne-kilometres, representing an increase of 18.00% from the same period last year. Cargo and mail traffic revenues were RMB4,004 million, representing an increase of 11.81% from the same period last year, accounting for 10.66% of the Group’s transportation revenue.

 

In the first half of 2012, other major operating revenues of the Group amounted to RMB2,644 million, representing a decrease of 2.22% compared to the same period last year.

 

Operating expenses

 

The total operating costs of the Group for the first half of 2012 increased by 8.57% to RMB39,290 million compared to the same period last year.

 

In the first half of 2012, the Group’s expenditure on aircraft fuel was RMB14,671 million, representing an increase of 9.67% compared to the same period last year and accounting for 37.34% of operating costs. This increase was mainly attributable to an increase of approximately 5.99% in the aviation oil consumption of the Group as well as an increase of 10.07% in average oil prices both compared to the same period last year.

 

In the first half of 2012, net gain on changes in fair value of the Company was approximately RMB10 million, representing a decrease of 88.24% compared to the same period last year, which was mainly attributable to the exposure of 1.49 million barrels of outstanding crude oil option as at June 2011 and the close of the Company’s crude oil option transaction at the end of 2011.

 

In the first half of 2012, the Group’s take-off and landing charges were RMB4,308 million, representing an increase of 10.77% from the same period last year, and was mainly attributable to the year-on-year increase in the number of take-offs and landings, as well as an increase in unit price of the average costs of take-offs and landings.

 

In the first half of 2012, the Group’s depreciation and amortisation were RMB3,633 million, representing an increase of 8.13% compared to the same period last year.

 

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In the first half of 2012, the Group’s wages, salaries and benefits expenses were RMB4,446 million, representing an increase of 6.01% compared to the same period last year and accounting for 11.32% of the operating costs. This was mainly due to the increases in salary level of staff and cost of flying hours.

 

In the first half of 2012, the Group’s aircraft maintenance expenses were RMB2,174 million, representing an increase of 17.32% compared to the same period last year.

 

In the first half of 2012, the Group’s food and beverages expenses were RMB954 million, representing a decrease of 0.93% compared to the same period last year.

 

In the first half of 2012, the Group’s aircraft operating lease rentals were RMB2,067 million, representing an increase of 6.82% compared to the same period last year.

 

In the first half of 2012, the Group’s sale and marketing expenses were RMB1,720 million, representing a decrease of 2.82% compared to the same period last year.

 

In the first half of 2012, the Group’s civil aviation development funds were RMB676 million, representing an increase of 3.21% compared to the same period last year.

 

In the first half of 2012, the Group’s office, administrative and other expenses were RMB4,047 million, representing an increase of 8.91% compared to the same period last year.

 

Other operating income

 

In the first half of 2012, the Group’s other operating income was RMB865 million, representing an increase of 128.23% compared to the same period last year. This was mainly due to the increase in government subsidies on operating business received by the Company as compared to the same period last year.

 

Net exchange (losses)/gains and finance costs

 

In the first half of 2011, the Group had a net foreign exchange gain of RMB818 million. In the first half of 2012, the Group had a net foreign exchange loss of RMB228 million, representing a decrease of RMB1,046 million (or 127.87%) compared to the same period last year, primarily due to the appreciation of exchange rate of USD against RMB during the period. Finance costs for the current period were RMB847 million, representing an increase of 18.30% compared to the same period last year. This primarily comprised an increase in interest accrued on loans from banks and other financial institutions as well as increased interest accrued on finance lease obligations.

 

The Group generally utilises foreign exchange hedging contracts to reduce the risks in exchange rate for revenues from ticket sales and expenses that are settled in foreign currencies. The Group’s foreign currency exchange mainly involves the sales of Japanese Yen or the purchase of US dollars at fixed exchange rates. As at 30 June 2012, the foreign currency hedging contracts held by the Group that are still open amounted to a notional amount of USD35 million (31 December 2011: USD46 million), which will expire during the period between 2012 and 2017.

 

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Operating profit

 

The profit attributable to the equity shareholders of the Company for the six months ended 30 June 2012 was RMB807 million, while its earnings per share attributable to the equity shareholders of the Company was RMB0.07. The weighted average number of ordinary shares of the Company issued and outstanding as at 30 June 2012 was 11,277 million shares.

 

Liquidity, capital resources and capital structure

 

The Group generally finances its working capital requirements through business operations and bank loans. As at 30 June 2012 and 30 June 2011, the Group’s cash and cash equivalents amounted to RMB5,361 million and RMB4,286 million, respectively. Net cash inflow generated from the Group’s operating activities was RMB5,847 million and RMB5,515 million, respectively, for the said period. Other than expenditure on operating costs, the Group’s primary cash requirements in the first half of 2012 were for acquisitions of, and improvements in, aircraft and flight equipment, and for the payment of related indebtedness. During the period ended 30 June 2012 and 30 June 2011, the Group’s net cash employed in investment activities was RMB3,862 million and RMB5,527 million, respectively. During the period ended 30 June 2012, the net cash outflow generated from the Group’s financing activities was RMB488 million. During the period ended 30 June 2011, the net cash inflow generated from the Group’s financing activities was RMB1,230 million, and was mainly derived from bank borrowings.

 

The Group generally operates with net current liabilities. As at 30 June 2012, the Group’s current liabilities exceeded its current assets by RMB32,888 million. The Group has been and believes it will continue to be capable of financing its working capital by obtaining short-term or long-term loans from domestic and foreign banks in China.

 

The Group monitors its capital on the basis of its debt ratio, which is calculated as total liabilities divided by total assets. As at 30 June 2012, the debt ratio of the Group was 81.13%.

 

As at 30 June 2012 and 31 December 2011, the Group’s short-term borrowings were RMB15,134 million and RMB11,454 million, respectively, and the Group’s long-term borrowings were RMB30,227 million and RMB30,321 million, respectively. As at 30 June 2012, the Group’s long-term borrowings payable within two years, from three to five years and beyond five years were RMB14,792 million, RMB8,489 million and RMB6,946 million, respectively, as compared to RMB15,126 million, RMB9,391 million and RMB5,804 million, respectively, as at 31 December 2011.

 

The Group’s obligations under finance leases as at 30 June 2012 and 31 December 2011 were RMB21,218 million and RMB20,261 million, respectively. As at 30 June 2012, the Group’s lease obligations payable within two years, from three to five years and beyond five years were RMB4,767 million, RMB7,232 million and RMB9,219 million, respectively, as compared to RMB5,017 million, RMB7,235 million and RMB8,009 million, respectively, as at 31 December 2011.

 

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As at 30 June 2012, the Group’s borrowings comprised USD-denominated borrowings equivalent to RMB27,453 million, and RMB-denominated borrowings of RMB17,908 million. Fixed-rate borrowings accounted for 25.01% of the total borrowings, and floating-rate borrowings accounted for 74.99% of the total borrowings. As at 31 December 2011, the Group’s borrowings comprised USD-denominated borrowings equivalent to RMB24,995 million and RMB-denominated borrowings of RMB16,780 million. Fixed-rate borrowings accounted for 15.60% of the total borrowings, and floating-rate borrowings accounted for 84.40% of the total borrowings.

 

As at 30 June 2012, the Group’s obligations under finance leases comprised USD-denominated obligations equivalent to RMB18,698 million, Hong Kong dollar-denominated obligations equivalent to RMB1,250 million and Singapore dollar-denominated obligations equivalent to RMB1,270 million. As at 31 December 2011, the Group’s obligations under finance leases comprised USD-denominated obligations equivalent to RMB17,892 million, RMB-denominated obligations of RMB1,090 million and Singapore dollar-denominated obligations equivalent to RMB1,279 million. As at 31 December 2011 and 30 June 2012, the Group’s obligations under finance leases comprised only floating-rate obligations.

 

Exchange rate fluctuation risk

 

Since 21 July 2005, the Chinese government adjusted the Renminbi exchange rate system and established a floating exchange rate system by which the exchange rate would be adjusted and managed based on market supply and demand, with reference to a basket of foreign currencies. The fluctuation in the Renminbi exchange rate is affected by domestic and international economic and political conditions and general currency supply and demand dynamics. As such, future Renminbi exchange rates may fluctuate and be materially different from current exchange rates.

 

The Group operates its business in many countries and territories and generates revenues in different currencies. As such, its foreign currency liabilities are generally much higher than its foreign currency assets. The Group’s major liability (purchases or leases of aircraft) is mainly priced and settled in US dollars. In addition, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates will affect the Group’s costs incurred from foreign purchases such as aircraft, flight equipment, jet fuel, and take-off and landing charges in foreign airports. As at 30 June 2012, the Group’s total interest-bearing liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, equivalent to Renminbi, amounted to RMB48,672 million, of which US dollar liabilities accounted for 94.82% of the total amount. Therefore, significant fluctuations in foreign exchange rates will expose the Group to foreign exchange loss arising from the translation of foreign currency denominated liabilities, which will also affect the profitability and development of the Group. The Group typically uses hedging contracts for foreign currencies to reduce the foreign exchange risks for foreign currency revenue generated from ticket sales, and expenses to be paid in foreign currencies. The Group’s foreign currency hedging mainly involves the sales of Japanese Yen and the purchase of US dollars at fixed exchange rates. As at 30 June 2012, foreign currency hedging contracts held by the Group amounted to a notional amount of USD35 million (31 December 2011: USD46 million), and will expire between 2012 and 2017.

 

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The Group recorded a net foreign exchange loss in the first half of 2012 as compared to the same period last year. As at 30 June 2012 and 30 June 2011, the Group recorded a foreign exchange losses of RMB228 million and a foreign exchange gains of RMB818 million respectively. Due to the large amount of existing net foreign currency liabilities, the Group’s results will be adversely affected if the Renminbi depreciates against the US dollar, or if the rate of appreciation of the Renminbi against the US dollar decreases in the future.

 

Pledges on assets and contingent liabilities

 

The Group generally finances the purchases of aircraft, which is then secured by its assets. As at 30 June 2012, the total value of the Group’s secured assets was RMB20,909 million, representing an increase of 14.15% from RMB18,317 million as at 31 December 2011.

 

Employees

 

As at 30 June 2012, the Group had approximately 63,781 employees, the majority of whom were located in the PRC. The wages of the Group’s employees generally consisted of basic salaries and performance bonuses. In the first half of 2012, the Group was not involved in any major labour disputes with its employees, nor did it experience a substantial decrease in employees headcount. In addition, the Group did not encounter any difficulty in recruiting new employees.

 

Outlook for the second half of 2012

 

The Group would like to caution readers of this announcement that this announcement contains certain forward-looking statements, including descriptions of the Group’s future operating plans for the second half of 2012 and beyond, and outlook of international and domestic economies and the aviation industry. Such forward-looking statements are subject to many uncertainties and risks, and actual events may be materially different from these forward-looking statements.

 

The Group intends to become a premium airline that is globally competitive. In addition, the Group intends to transform from a traditional air passenger and freight carrier to an integrated, modern aviation and logistics services provider.

 

In the first half of 2012, in spite of the positive profit achieved, the Group was fully aware of the various challenges ahead which will possibly hinder the future development of the Group. Firstly, the air transportation market is subject to further lackluster demand arising from the European debt crisis and the downturn of the U.S.’s economy, plus the reduced demand from traditional export market in Asia Pacific region, and the slowdown in China’s economic growth. Secondly, international crude oil prices continue to fluctuate at a high level, exerting great cost pressure on the Company’s consumption of fuel. Thirdly, the obvious slowdown in the appreciation of the Renminbi will further decrease the exchange gain of the Group.

 

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Notwithstanding the difficult operating environment facing the Group in the second half of 2012, the Group will, under the principle of maintaining safe operation, enhance its sales and marketing capability in both passenger transportation and freight transportation; take full advantage of the peak season effect; strictly control costs and seek to generate better results of operations. At the same time, the Group will strengthen the fundamental management in our services to strengthen our construction of service integration and continually enhance service quality so as to upgrade our brand image. In addition, in the second half of 2012 the Group will further expedite the construction of its customer data platform, product research and development capability, direct sale service channel, tourist service centers, mobile internet and hub supporting system, for pushing the Group ahead towards further upgrade and transformation.

 

FLEET PLANNING

 

As at 30 June 2012, the following sets forth details of our aircraft that are scheduled to be introduced and put into service, as at the periods below:

 

   Type of   Number 
Year of Delivery  aircraft   of aircraft 
           
Second half of 2012   A319    7 
    A320    3 
    A321    3 
    A330-200    2 
    B737-700    2 
    B737-800    8 
           
2013   A319    3 
    A320    8 
    A321    6 
    A330-200    8 
    B737-700    5 
    B737-800    16 

 

MATERIAL MATTERS

 

1.Dividends

 

The Board did not recommend a payment of any interim dividend for the half year ended 30 June 2012.

 

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2.Share capital structure of the Company as at 30 June 2012

 

          Approximate 
          percentage of 
      Total number   shareholding 
      of Shares   (%) 
              
I.  A shares          
   1.       Listed shares with trading moratorium   4,831,375,000    42.84 
   2.       Listed shares without trading moratorium   2,950,838,860    26.17 
              
II.  H shares   3,494,325,000    30.99 
              
III.  Total number of shares   11,276,538,860    100 

 

Remarks:

 

1.The 288,888,860 A shares with trading moratorium held by Jin Jiang International Holdings Company Limited ( 錦江國 際(集 團)有限公司 ), which were added upon absorption of Shanghai Airlines by the Company on 28 January 2010, became tradable on 25 June 2012. For details, please see the overseas regulatory announcement of the Company dated 18 June 2012 issued in Hong Kong.

 

2.The 1,437,375,000 H shares, which are listed shares with trading moratorium issued on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Hong Kong Stock Exchange”) by the Company to CES Global Holding (Hong Kong) Limited ( 東航 國 際 控 股(香 港)有限 公 司 ), an overseas wholly- owned subsidiary of China Eastern Air Holding Company (“CEA Holding”) ( 中 國 東 方 航 空 集團公司 ), by way of specific issuance on 26 June 2009, became tradable on 26 June 2012. For details, please see the announcement of the Company dated 28 January 2010 issued in Hong Kong.

 

3.The 1,437,375,000 A shares, which are listed shares with trading moratorium issued on the Shanghai Stock Exchange by the Company to the controlling shareholder CEA Holding by way of non-public issuance on 2 July 2009, became tradable on 2 July 2012. For details, please see the overseas regulatory announcement of the Company dated 25 June 2012 issued in Hong Kong.

 

4.The 2,904,000,000 A shares held by CEA Holding, which are listed shares with trading moratorium as a result of the implementation of the share split reform on 12 January 2007, became tradable on 25 July 2012. For details, please see the overseas regulatory announcement of the Company dated 18 July 2012 issued in Hong Kong.

 

5.As at 30 August 2012, the Company had 490,000,000 A shares with trading moratorium held by CEA Holding and 10,786,538,860 listed shares without trading moratorium. The total number of shares amounted to 11,276,538,860 shares.

 

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3.Purchase, sale or redemption of securities

 

During the half year ended 30 June 2012, neither the Company nor its subsidiaries purchased, sold or redeemed any of its issued securities (“securities” having the meaning ascribed thereto under Section 1 of Appendix 16 to the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Listing Rules”)) without taking into account any issue of new securities.

 

During the six months ended 30 June 2012, the Company has adopted a code of conduct on no less exacting terms than the Model Code for Securities Transactions by Directors of Listed Issuers set out in Appendix 10 of the Listing Rules (“Model Code”) regarding the securities transactions of the directors of the Company (the “Directors”). Having made specific enquiries to all the Directors, it is the Company’s understanding that the Directors have complied with the required standards of conduct as set forth in the Model Code and its code of conduct regarding Directors’ securities transactions.

 

4.Corporate Governance Practices

 

The Board has reviewed the relevant provisions and corporate governance practices under the codes of corporate governance practices adopted by the Company, and is of the view that the Company’s corporate governance practices for the six months ended 30 June 2012 met the requirements under the code provisions in the Code on Corporate Governance Practices (for the period from 1 January 2012 to 31 March 2012) and the Corporate Governance Code and the Corporate Governance Report (for the period from 1 April 2012 to 30 June 2012) set out in Appendix 14 to the Listing Rules.

 

To further strengthen the awareness of compliance among the Directors, supervisors and senior management of our Company, and to enhance their understanding and application of the relevant rules, during the first half of 2012, the Company invited senior partners and lawyers from renowned international law firms to conduct a seminar on the basic concepts of and typical cases under the Listing Rules and the anti-corruption rules of the U.S.. At the same time, the Company also in a timely manner compiled its revision to internal rules for reference by the Directors, supervisors and senior management of the Company in response to the revision to the Listing Rules and corporate governance code issued by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. In addition, to strengthen the full understanding of the Directors, supervisors and senior management of the Company on their respective duties and responsibilities, the Company has systematically gathered the relevant rules and regulations regarding the duties and responsibilities of the directors, supervisors and senior management of a listed company as issued by regulatory bodies including the China Securities Regulatory Commission, Shanghai Stock Exchange, Hong Kong Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange, and compiled the “Guidelines on Duties of the Directors, Supervisors and Senior Management of China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited”.

 

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5.Material litigation and arbitration

 

For the half year ended 30 June 2012, the Group was not involved in any material litigation or arbitration.

 

6.Audit and Risk Management Committee

 

The Audit and Risk Management Committee has reviewed the accounting principles and methods adopted by the Group with the management of the Company, and has discussed with the Board the relevant internal control and financial reporting issues, including a review of the unaudited interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2012.

 

The Audit and Risk Management Committee does not have any differences in opinion on the accounting principles and methodology adopted by the Group.

 

7.Changes in personnel

 

    Date of        
    Cessation/   Approval    
Name   Appointment   Organisation   Position
             
Cessation            
Luo Zhuping   6 April 2012   13th meeting of the sixth   Board Secretary,
        session of the Board   Company
            Secretary,
            Authorised
            Representative
            in Hong Kong
New Appointment            
             
Wang Jian   6 April 2012   13th meeting of the sixth   Board Secretary,
        session of the Board   Joint Company
            Secretary,
            Authorised
            Representative
            in Hong Kong
             
Ngai Wai Fung   6 April 2012   13th meeting of the sixth   Joint Company
             
        session of the Board   Secretary
             
Xu Zhao   28 June 2012   2011 annual general meeting   Director
             
Gu Jiadan   28 June 2012   2011 annual general meeting   Director
             
Tang Bing   28 June 2012   2011 annual general meeting   Director
             
Xi Sheng   28 June 2012   2011 annual general meeting   Supervisor

 

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8.Miscellaneous

 

The Company would like to highlight the following information:

 

(1)On 23 March 2012, the Company entered into a binding memorandum of understanding with Jetstar Airways Pty Limited (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qantas), for the establishment of a Hong Kong-based low-cost airline. On 24 August 2012, Eastern Air Overseas (Hong Kong) Corporation Limited (“EAO”) , a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a shareholders’ agreement with Jetstar International Group Holdings Co. Limited (“JIGH”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qantas, pursuant to which EAO and JIGH agreed to establish a Hong Kong-based, Jetstar-branded low-cost airline. For details, please see the announcements of the Company dated 23 March 2012 and 24 August 2012 issued in Hong Kong.

 

(2)On 27 April 2012, the Company entered into a purchase agreement with Boeing Company regarding the purchase of twenty Boeing B777–300ER aircraft. On the same date, the Company entered into a disposal agreement with Boeing Company regarding the disposal of five Airbus A340–600 aircraft. For details, please see the announcements of the Company dated 27 April 2012 and 28 June 2012 and the circular of the Company dated 14 May 2012, all issued in Hong Kong.

 

(3)On 12 June 2012, the Board considered and approved resolutions concerning the issuance of corporate bonds, which shall not be more than RMB8.8 billion (including RMB8.8 billion). For details, please see the announcement of the Company dated 12 June 2012 issued in Hong Kong.

 

(4)On 22 August 2012, the Company entered into an agreement with CEA Holding, pursuant to which the Company agreed to acquire and CEA Holding agreed to sell the 20% equity interests in China United Airlines held by CEA Holding (the “Acquisition”). After the completion of the Acquisition, China United Airlines will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The Acquisition constitutes a connected transaction of the Company. For details, please see the announcement of the Company dated 22 August 2012 issued in Hong Kong.

 

(5)On 25 August 2012, the Board passed resolutions regarding the proposed adoption of the H Shares Appreciation Rights Scheme (the “Scheme”) and Initial Grant Scheme of the H Shares Appreciation Rights (the “Initial Grant Scheme”) for certain Directors, senior management and key technical and managerial personnel of the Group. The Scheme and the Initial Grant Scheme are subject to approval by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council and will be submitted to the shareholders of the Company for approval at general meeting. For details, please see the announcements of the Company dated 28 August 2012 issued in Hong Kong.

 

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(6)On 30 August 2012, the Board passed a resolution regarding the proposed amendments to the articles of association of the Company in relation to profit distribution (the “Proposed Amendments”). The Proposed Amendments will be submitted for shareholders’ approval at the general meeting of the Company. For details, please see the announcement of the Company dated 30 August 2012 issued in Hong Kong.

 

(7)The annual caps for the continuing connected transactions of the Company, which were approved by the Board and at the general meeting of the Company, and their actual amounts incurred up to 30 June 2012 are set out as follows:

 

   Incurred up to    The approved  
Category   30 June 2012    2012 annual caps 
   (RMB)     (RMB) 
           
Financial services (balance of deposit)   1,630 million    4,000 million 
Catering services   387.607 million    980 million 
Import and export agency services   37.207 million    98.3 million 
Production and Maintenance services   58.648 million    123.98 million 
Property leasing   21.751 million    95.76 million 
Advertising agency services   6.151 million    46 million 
Sales agency services (agency fees)   8.425 million    96 million 
Media resources operation services   6.934 million    50 million 

 

    By order of the Board
    China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited
    Liu Shaoyong
    Chairman

 

Shanghai, the PRC

30 August 2012

 

As at the date of this announcement, the Directors are:

 

Liu Shaoyong (Chairman)
Ma Xulun (Vice Chairman, President)
Xu Zhao (Director)
Gu Jiadan (Director)
Li Yangmin (Director, Vice President)
Tang Bing (Director, Vice President)
Luo Zhuping (Director)
Sandy Ke-Yaw Liu (Independent non-executive Director)
Wu Xiaogen (Independent non-executive Director)
Ji Weidong (Independent non-executive Director)
Shao Ruiqing (Independent non-executive Director)

 

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