La Compagnie CEO on business travel demand and impact of a weaker U.S. dollar

Industry Trends & Challenges - The airline industry experienced a strong start in Q1 2025, but Q2 was impacted by potential tariff consequences and border control regulation concerns, leading to tepid demand [1][2][3] - Airlines like United and Delta saw significant stock value declines from April 2nd through Q2, reflecting industry-wide concerns [3] - Newark airport faced operational difficulties due to construction, impacting airlines operating from there [4] Company Performance & Strategy - The company's Q2 performance was not as good as expected, similar to other airlines [3] - Corporate traffic accounts for approximately 25% of the company's business, with 70% of sales originating from the US [6] - The company aims to compete with airlines like Emirates by offering a unique business class experience with narrow-body, long-haul airplanes [6][8] - The company plans to expand its route structure with new A321 Neo LR aircraft, potentially flying from New York to another major European capital [9] - The company is considering further expansion with A321 XLR aircraft to destinations like Miami or San Francisco [9][10] Financial Impact - The weaker dollar is projected to cause an approximate 5% decrease in global revenues from scheduled flights due to currency consolidation into euros [13] Customer Behavior - The company's affluent VIP clientele are less sensitive to dollar value fluctuations but may be concerned about the welcoming attitude in Europe [11][12]