Aegean Airlines will distribute a dividend for the first time in four years for the financial year 2023. As stated at today's annual general meeting by the company's chairman, Eftychis Vassilakis, the company, having exhausted all debt or indirect obligations to the State, such as warrants, proposes to distribute a dividend for 2023 of 0.75 euros per share, which amounts to a total of 67.625 million euros.
The cut-off date has been set as Monday, May 20, 2024, the record date for determining beneficiaries is Tuesday, May 21, 2024, and the payment will be made on Monday, May 27, 2024.
The company's president referred to the company's recent decision to invest in 4 aircraft of a "specially configured" version of the Airbus A321neo, which enable the company to operate longer range flights and strategically position itself in destinations it has not flown to to date.
During his presentation, CEO Dimitris Gerogiannis said that 2023 was a very successful year for AEGEAN, where both the company's commercial and financial figures recorded historic highs, presenting one of the best results compared to other listed European airlines and in a highly competitive environment of high interest rates and rising cost elements.
Aegean's CEO also referred to the dynamic growth of the airline's flight operations in 2023, which offered 18.9 million seats, 3 million more than in 2022. "The addition of 30 new destinations to the network, reaching a total of 180 destinations in 49 countries and the significant increase in capacity worked effectively in an upward environment of inbound demand and growing dynamics of Greeks for travel abroad," he said, adding that "The offer of 11.2 million seats in the Aegean Airlines network is a great success. The offer of 11.11 million seats on the international network in 49 countries and increased interconnectivity between destinations helped us to welcome 15.7 million passengers in 2023, recording a further improvement in occupancy rates, which reached 86% in the third quarter."
On the fleet, Mr. Gerogiannis noted that the group took delivery of 9 new Airbus A320 Neo family aircraft in 2023, having taken delivery of a total of 28 Airbus A320 and A321 Neo family aircraft since the end of 2019. The weight-free (lease or loan) aircraft totaled 11 (2 Airbus Neo, 6 Airbus CEO, and 3 ATR 72-600) from just 4 on December 31, 2019. "In Q4 2023, we increased our total new aircraft order to 50 from 46 previously, increasing the A321neo aircraft, and a few days ago we announced a further conversion of our order, whereby 4 new Airbus A321neo aircraft are being converted into long-range aircraft and will have the capability to fly longer-range flights, capable of reaching and serving markets outside the EU, mainly in the Gulf, India, and also Central Africa."
"As we invest in the potential of Athens and Thessaloniki, in 2023 we will offer the largest network in our history with 180 destinations in 49 countries, adding destinations in both the winter and summer seasons. We created special programmes and partnerships to mitigate seasonality in the Greek periphery, further enhancing the interconnectivity of our network with international air hubs, as part of our major new and established partnerships.
At the same time, we are investing not only in the training of our people but also in the progress of the country itself, partnering with CAE, the world leader in aviation training for pilots and cabin crews, to create the first modern Flight Simulator and Crew Training Centre in Greece.
