COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Feb. 20, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Koebenhavns Lufthavne A/S:
-- Operating and financial performance for the year was in line with
expectations
-- Passenger numbers at Copenhagen Airport rose 5.0%
-- Revenue increased 10.2% to DKK 2,738.4 million
-- EBIT amounts to DKK 971.0 million (2004: DKK 973.9 million)
-- Profit from investments in associates increased 26.4% to DKK 89.4
million
-- Profit before tax increased 4.4% to DKK 853.5 million
-- Profit after tax increased 13.1% to DKK 670.4 million
Based on expected traffic growth of 4-6% at Copenhagen Airport, pre-tax profit for 2006 is expected to be in the region of DKK 1.0 billion, equivalent to a 10% increase when taking into account certain one-off costs incurred in 2005
In 2005 the company distributed DKK 587.3 million to the shareholders consisting of DKK 296.4 million as dividends paid for 2004 and DKK 290.4 as share buy-back. Due to the low liquidity in the share, the company can no longer use share buy-back as a means of distribution to the shareholders. Hence the Supervisory Board recommends that the Annual General Meeting approves a payout ratio for 2005 of 100% equivalent to DKK 670.4 million or DKK 85.42 per share. The proposed dividend implies that the distribution as a percentage of earnings is kept in line with previous years.
The Annual General Meeting will be held on 6 April 2006