4th Feb 2015 15:15
LONDON (Alliance News) - International Consolidated Airlines Group PLC Wednesday said group traffic rose by 5.5% on the year in January, although this was less than a 5.7% increase in group capacity.
The holdings company for British Airways and Spanish airlines Iberia and Vueling, which is currently trying to acquire Ireland's Aer Lingus PLC, said passenger numbers rose to 5.3 million in January, up 8.6% from 4.9 million a year earlier, while the more useful traffic figure, measured in revenue passenger kilometres rose 5.5% on the year.
However, because traffic rose by less than the 5.7% increase in capacity measured by available seat kilometres, the group's load factor fell by 0.1 percentage points to 77.0%.
Its most profitable premium traffic was up 6.4% on the year in January.
Traffic rose more than capacity at Iberia, but traffic growth was less than capacity growth at both British Airways and particularly Vueling.
Group cargo, measured in cargo tonne kilometres, fell by 5.8%, falling at both British Airways and Iberia. Vueling doesn't carry cargo.
Group traffic rose in every region apart from on Africa, Middle East and South Asian routes.
By Steve McGrath; [email protected]; @stevemcgrath1
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