5th Sep 2006 14:15
British Airways PLC05 September 2006 TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - August 2006 Summary of the headline figures In August 2006, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was5.1 per cent above August 2005. Traffic, measured in Revenue PassengerKilometres, was higher by 5.0 per cent. This resulted in a passenger loadfactor down 0.1 points versus last year, to 77.8 per cent. The increase intraffic comprised a 9.5 per cent increase in premium traffic and a 4.4 per centincrease in non-premium traffic. Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres,rose by 3.5 per cent. Overall load factor increased by 2.2 points to 71.7 percent. Security Impact During the period August 10-17 the airline cancelled some 1,280 flights as aresult of the disruption at the London airports. The airline estimates that thefinancial impact for the month of August was around £40 million. This includeslost revenue and increased costs of hotel accommodation, catering and baggagerepatriation. Since the disruption there has been some impact on forward bookings. The overalllevel of bookings has returned to levels experienced last year, but is stillweaker than the trend of the past few months. The recovery of premium andnon-premium transfer traffic, for example, is lagging due to the limitations oncarry on baggage at London. Market conditions Visibility is limited as we emerge from the issues surrounding the Augustsecurity increases, but underlying market conditions continue to be good. Strategic Developments British Airways called on the Office of Fair Trading to refer its study on theUK airports market to the Competition Commission because of its concerns aboutcurrent airport regulation and ownership. The airline said separate ownership of London Heathrow and London Stanstedairports should be considered because decisions on new runways in South EastEngland should not be concentrated in the hands of one company. In the event of a break-up of BAA, the airline said there will be a continuedneed for strong regulation to protect users against monopoly power, particularlyat London Heathrow and London Gatwick. The airline sold its Travel Clinic business to MASTA (Medical Advisory Servicesfor Travellers Abroad)who will become British Airways Preferred Partner for travel health services from this month. Alan McDonald, British Airways' Director of Engineering, announced hisretirement after 40 years at the airline. He will be succeeded by GarryCopeland, currently General Manager Quality and Engineering Services fromSeptember 15. ends September 5, 2006 096/KG/06 BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS Month of August Financial year April through to Aug.BRITISH AIRWAYS Change ChangeSCHEDULED SERVICES 2006 2005 (%) 2006 2005 (%) Passengers carried (000)UK/Europe 2045 2063 -0.9 10545 10432 +1.1Americas 646 629 +2.6 3429 3261 +5.2Asia Pacific 164 159 +3.2 799 765 +4.5Africa and Middle East 294 249 +17.8 1419 1209 +17.4Total 3149 3101 +1.5 16192 15667 +3.4 Revenue passenger km (m)UK/Europe 2014 1972 +2.1 10058 9791 +2.7Americas 4357 4243 +2.7 23102 21885 +5.6Asia Pacific 1668 1631 +2.3 8116 7864 +3.2Africa and Middle East 1938 1656 +17.0 9420 8088 +16.5Total 9978 9502 +5.0 50697 47628 +6.4 Available seat km (m)UK/Europe 2641 2742 -3.7 13386 13777 -2.8Americas 5629 5268 +6.9 28225 26838 +5.2Asia Pacific 2095 2121 -1.2 10315 10439 -1.2Africa and Middle East 2457 2062 +19.1 12239 10603 +15.4Total 12822 12194 +5.1 64165 61657 +4.1 Passenger load factor (%)UK/Europe 76.3 71.9 +4.4 pts 75.1 71.1 +4.0 ptsAmericas 77.4 80.5 -3.1 pts 81.8 81.5 +0.3 ptsAsia Pacific 79.6 76.9 +2.7 pts 78.7 75.3 +3.4 ptsAfrica and Middle East 78.9 80.3 -1.4 pts 77.0 76.3 +0.7 ptsTotal 77.8 77.9 -0.1 pts 79.0 77.2 +1.8 pts Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)Cargo tonne km (CTK) 378 365 +3.5 2012 1956 +2.9Total RTK 1404 1319 +6.4 7094 6707 +5.8Available tonne km (m) 1957 1897 +3.2 9906 9615 +3.0 Overall load factor (%) 71.7 69.5 +2.2 pts 71.6 69.7 +1.9 pts Certain statements included in this statement may be forward-looking and mayinvolve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differmaterially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, projections relating toresults of operations and financial conditions and the company's plans andobjectives for future operations, including, without limitation, discussions ofthe company's business and financing plans, expected future revenues andexpenditures and divestments. All forward-looking statements in this report arebased upon information known to the company on the date of this report. Thecompany undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise anyforward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future eventsor otherwise. It is not reasonably possible to itemise all of the many factors and specificevents that could cause the company's forward-looking statements to be incorrector that could otherwise have a material adverse effect on the future operationsor results of an airline operating in the global economy. Investor Relations Waterside (HCB3) PO Box 365 Harmondsworth UB7 OGB Tel: +44 (0) 20 8738 6947 Fax: +44( 0) 20 8738 9602 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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