Trading Statement

1 Nov 2007 07:15

Thomas Cook Group PLC01 November 2007 1 November 2007 Thomas Cook Group plc Trading Statement Thomas Cook Group plc confirms that the Board believes that the Group'sfinancial performance for the year will be in line with its expectations. Thefinancial year ended on 31 October 2007 and the outlook for the full year 2007remains unchanged from our announcement of 31 August 2007. Trading in alldivisions continued broadly in line with the 31 August announcement and recordprofits are expected in Northern Europe, Airlines Germany and ContinentalEurope. Integration of the former Thomas Cook and MyTravel UK businesses continues toproceed quickly and smoothly. We achieved a significant milestone last weekendin putting the major tour operator IT systems on a common platform. We continueto be increasingly confident that the synergies achieved will exceed the €140mwithin 24 to 30 months predicted in the Prospectus for the merger. Current Trading In the UK, capacity on sale for winter 07/08 is expected to be approximately 5%below the prior year as we exit unprofitable programmes and thus enhance yields.Cumulative bookings are 3% behind the current year and average selling pricesare in line with the prior year. In recent weeks margin per passenger has showna marked improvement year on year. Early indications for the UK summer season 2008 are good, with customers bookingearly to ensure they get the holiday of their choice. As with winter 07/08, weare adjusting the combined flying programme to exit unprofitable business andoptimise yield management. In Northern Europe, bookings for winter 07/08 have built on a strong start andare currently up 13% on the prior year with 7% more capacity. Average sellingprices are 7% ahead year on year. In Continental Europe, early booking indications for winter 07/08 areencouraging, with an increase in bookings of 3% and average selling prices inline with the prior year. In North America winter bookings started slowly but are now picking up well.Average selling prices are in line with the prior year. The booked seat load factor in Airlines Germany for winter is currently 4% aheadof the prior year. Investor strategy day As previously announced, the Group will hold a strategy day for investors andanalysts on 21 November 2007 in London. Ends Enquiries: Thomas Cook Group plc Today +44 (0) 20 7404 5959Thereafter +44 (0) 1706 746464 Manny Fontenla-Novoa, Joint Chief Executive Ludger Heuberg, Chief Financial Officer Steven Olivant, Investor Relations & Financial Communications Director BrunswickFiona Antcliffe +44 (0) 20 7407 5959 A conference call to analysts will take place today at 8 am (GMT). The dial-inarrangements for the call are as follows: Telephone: +44 (0) 1452 541 077 Participant Code: 22328219 A recording of the conference call will be available until 7 November 2007 on: Telephone: +44 (0) 1452 55 00 00 Access Code: 22328219# This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange