4th Jan 2007 14:15
British Airways PLC04 January 2007 TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - December 2006 Summary of the headline figures In December 2006, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was0.1 per cent below December 2005. Traffic, measured in Revenue PassengerKilometres, was lower by 0.5 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load factordown 0.3 points versus last year, to 73.9 per cent. The decrease in trafficcomprised a 2.8 per cent increase in premium traffic and a 1 per cent decreasein non-premium traffic. Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, decreased by11.6 per cent. Severe fog conditions in the run up to Christmas led to thecancellation of more than 800 flights, affecting European and domestic services.Overall load factor fell by 0.6 points to 70.5 per cent. For the September to December quarter, ASKs rose by 0.5 per cent, with RPKsflat. This resulted in passenger load factor down 0.4 points, to 73.7 per cent.This comprised a 2.8 per cent increase in premium traffic and a 0.6 per centincrease in non-premium traffic. CTKs fell by 9 per cent. Market conditions Underlying market conditions are broadly unchanged. Strategic Developments The airline launched a new five times a week service From Heathrow to Calgaryand a new five times a week service from Gatwick to Salzburg. The T&G's cabin crew branch is balloting its members on industrial action. Thecompany has been in talks for some time with the T&G and Amicus on changes towork practices that would contribute toward the airline's drive to achieve a£450m reduction in costs by March 2008. Talks continue. In response to the Government's announcement of a 100 per cent increase in AirPassenger Duty, the airline called for tax reform and said at least £87 millionshould be ring-fenced for spending on emissions-reducing renewable energyprojects in the developing world, thereby offsetting all the airline'semissions. The New Year flight sale featured discounts on 4.5 million seats to 140destinations worldwide. Avis and Vanguard have been selected as the airline's worldwide car rentalpartners. ends January 4, 2007 001/KG/07 BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS Month of December Financial year April through to DecBRITISH AIRWAYS Change ChangeSCHEDULED SERVICES 2006 2005 (%) 2006 2005 (%)Passengers carried (000)UK/Europe 1647 1680 -2.0 18160 18001 +0.9Americas 575 585 -1.7 5759 5682 +1.4Asia Pacific 137 164 -16.2 1411 1426 -1.1Africa and Middle East 335 299 +12.1 2646 2294 +15.3Total 2694 2728 -1.3 27975 27402 +2.1 Revenue passenger km (m)UK/Europe 1539 1505 +2.2 17216 16687 +3.2Americas 3867 3915 -1.2 38794 38131 +1.7Asia Pacific 1431 1703 -16.0 14387 14680 -2.0Africa and Middle East 2280 2039 +11.8 17768 15482 +14.8Total 9117 9162 -0.5 88164 84981 +3.7 Available seat km (m)UK/Europe 2342 2402 -2.5 23561 24138 -2.4Americas 5222 5048 +3.4 49418 47673 +3.7Asia Pacific 1811 2224 -18.6 18173 19142 -5.1Africa and Middle East 2958 2669 +10.9 22966 20194 +13.7Total 12333 12343 -0.1 114118 111146 +2.7 Passenger load factor (%)UK/Europe 65.7 62.7 +3.0 pts 73.1 69.1 +4.0 ptsAmericas 74.0 77.5 -3.5 pts 78.5 80.0 -1.5 ptsAsia Pacific 79.0 76.6 +2.4 pts 79.2 76.7 +2.5 ptsAfrica and Middle East 77.1 76.4 +0.7 pts 77.4 76.7 +0.7 ptsTotal 73.9 74.2 -0.3 pts 77.3 76.5 +0.8 pts Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)Cargo tonne km (CTK) 385 436 -11.6 3606 3685 -2.1Total RTK 1317 1361 -3.2 12503 12169 +2.7Available tonne km (m) 1870 1914 -2.3 17551 17354 +1.1 Overall load factor (%) 70.5 71.1 -0.6 pts 71.2 70.1 +1.1 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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