4th Apr 2007 14:17
British Airways PLC04 April 2007 TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - March 2007 Summary of the headline figures In March 2007, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was2.3 per cent above March 2006. Traffic, measured in Revenue PassengerKilometres, was higher by 3.3 per cent. This resulted in a passenger loadfactor up 0.7 points versus last year, to 76.3 per cent. The increase intraffic comprised a 3.6 per cent increase in premium traffic and a 3.2 per centincrease in non-premium traffic. Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres,decreased by 16.3 per cent. Market conditions Underlying market conditions are broadly unchanged. Strategic Developments In the light of Iberia's announcement that it had received a bid approach,British Airways appointed UBS to advise on how to use British Airways' 10 percent holding in Iberia in the best interests of British Airways shareholders.The advice will examine all options, including a disposal of British Airways'holding. British Airways called on the UK Government to stand by its right of automatictermination of traffic rights granted in the new aviation pact between the EUand US if America stalls on negotiating further liberalisation. The airline expanded its operations at London City Airport by more than 70 percent with the launch of its new subsidiary, BA CityFlyer which operates 250flights a week to six UK and European destinations. New direct routes includeGlasgow and Zurich. British Airways completed the sale of the regional operation of its subsidiaryairline BA Connect to Flybe. British Airways entered into exclusive talks to transfer its ground handlingoperation at Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester airports to Aviance UK,an independent ground handling company. The summer schedule includes four new routes from London Gatwick this summerincluding Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago, Dresden in Germany, Sarajevo inBosnia and Herzegovina and Newquay. The company announced three year contracts with global distribution systemsGalileo, Sabre Travel Network and Worldspan. At its annual Investor Day British Airways released market guidance for thefinancial year 2007/8. Revenue is forecast to increase by 5-6 per cent based oncapacity measured in available seat kilometers (ASKs) up 1.3 per cent, trafficmeasured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs) up 2.4 per cent and yieldmeasured in pence per RPK up 3.4 per cent. Fuel is forecast to be up by some£100 million for 2007/8. Total costs, excluding fuel are forecast to be up £50million. This will leave the company on track to achieve a 10 per centoperating margin in the year to March 2008. ends April 4, 2007 046/TC/07 Note: Following completion of the sale of the regional business of BA Connect, trafficstatistics are now shown on a continuing basis. All comparative data has beenrestated on the same basis. BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS Month of March Financial year April through to MarBRITISH AIRWAYS Change ChangeSCHEDULED SERVICES 2007 2006 (%) 2007 2006 (%) Passengers carried (000) UK/Europe 1695 1634 +3.7 20250 19636 +3.1Americas 614 610 +0.6 7371 7644 -3.6Asia Pacific 163 167 -2.3 1844 1907 -3.3Africa and Middle East 325 297 +9.4 3597 3214 +11.9Total 2796 2708 +3.3 33061 32402 +2.0 Revenue passenger km (m)UK/Europe 1623 1530 +6.1 19966 18907 +5.6Americas 4158 4116 +1.0 49728 49490 +0.5Asia Pacific 1674 1708 -2.0 18851 19639 -4.0Africa and Middle East 2214 2007 +10.3 24296 21609 +12.4Total 9669 9361 +3.3 112842 109645 +2.9 Available seat km (m)UK/Europe 2386 2322 +2.8 28044 27435 +2.2Americas 5408 5224 +3.5 64870 63060 +2.9Asia Pacific 1996 2184 -8.6 23937 25551 -6.3Africa and Middle East 2879 2650 +8.7 31448 28076 +12.0Total 12669 12380 +2.3 148299 144123 +2.9 Passenger load factor (%)UK/Europe 68.0 65.9 +2.1 pts 71.2 68.9 +2.3 ptsAmericas 76.9 78.8 -1.9 pts 76.7 78.5 -1.8 ptsAsia Pacific 83.9 78.2 +5.7 pts 78.8 76.9 +1.9 ptsAfrica and Middle East 76.9 75.8 +1.1 pts 77.3 77.0 +0.3 ptsTotal 76.3 75.6 +0.7 pts 76.1 76.1 +0.0 pts Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)Cargo tonne km (CTK) 383 457 -16.3 4693 4928 -4.8Total RTK 1362 1389 -1.9 16108 15902 +1.3Available tonne km (m) 1927 1958 -1.6 22874 22703 +0.8 Overall load factor (%) 70.7 70.9 -0.2 pts 70.2 69.7 +0.5 pts Certain information included in these statements is forward-looking and involvesrisks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materiallyfrom 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 Plan programs, expected future revenues, financing plansand expected expenditures and divestments. All forward-looking statements inthis report are based upon information known to the Company on the date of thisreport. The Company 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 itemize 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. Information on somefactors which could result in material difference to the results is available inthe Company's SEC filings, including, without limitation the Company's Report onForm 20-F for the year ended March 2006. Investor Relations Waterside (HCB3) PO Box 365 Harmondsworth UB7 OGB Tel: +44 (0) 20 8738 694 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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