Spanish state airport operator Aena recorded a net profit of €901.5 million in 2022, a near-€1.5bn rebound from the €475 million loss reported for 2021.
The return to profit should mean the distribution of a gross dividend of €4.75 per share, Aena announced in a statement. The pay-out will be discussed at the operator's upcoming annual general meeting on April 20,.
The profit rebound came as traffic grew more than 100% compared to 2021, to over 240 million passengers, and was back to within almost 90% of pre-lockdown levels.
Total consolidated revenue for 2022 stood at €4.23bn, 69.3% higher than in 2021, Aena reported, with "aeronautical revenue" at €2.4bn, up 81.5%. Commercial revenue hit €1.24bn, an increase of 37.5%.
In 2022, gross operating profit (EBITDA) was €2.07bn, 85.4% higher than in 2021, and based on a 564.3% increase in net cash generated from operating activities, which amounted to €1.86bn.
Consolidated net financial debt decreased to €6.4bn, which included €440 million from the consolidation of the net financial debt of London Luton Airport, Aena reported.
Despite inflation and rising fare costs, the return of pre-pandemic travel demand has seen Aena revise upwards its passenger traffic estimate for the year 2023 to a range between 94% and 104% of the 2019 figures, compared to the initial forecast between 87% and 97%.