3rd Mar 2005 14:15
British Airways PLC03 March 2005 TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - February 2005 Summary of the headline figures In February 2005, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was1.4 per cent below February 2004. Traffic, measured in Revenue PassengerKilometres, was higher by 1.4 per cent. This resulted in a passenger loadfactor up two points versus last year, to 70.8 per cent. The increase intraffic comprised a 6.8 per cent increase in premium traffic and a 0.4 per centincrease in non-premium traffic. Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres,fell by 5.9 per cent. Overall load factor rose by 1.1 points to 67.9 per cent. The traffic and capacity figures versus last year are impacted by somethree-percentage points because 2004 was a leap year. Market conditions Market conditions for the current financial year remain broadly unchanged. Forthe year to March 2005, the total revenue outlook continues to be for a 3.0-3.5per cent improvement. All market segments remain price sensitive and yielddeclines are expected to continue. Strategic Developments The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) gave approval to thecontinuation of the joint service agreement (JSA) between British Airways andQantas for a further five years. The airline reported a pre-tax profit of £75 million for the third quarteragainst a pre-tax profit of £125 million for the same period last year. Theresults for the nine months were a profit of £410 million (2003: £185 millionprofit). Operating profit for the quarter was £110 million, (2003: £138 million) and forthe nine months was an operating profit of £500 million (2003: £373 million). British Airways completed fitting its award-winning Club World flat beds on allits Boeing 777 aircraft operating direct services from Gatwick to twelvedestinations in the USA and Caribbean. The British Airways London Eye re-opened following its annual maintenance check. British Airways offered over 50,000 discounted return flights to the US, in a 13day seat sale, to 19 US and Canadian destinations with prices starting at £199for a return ticket to New York, saving up to £134 on the standard fare. ends March 3, 2005 017/KG/05 BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS Month of February Financial year to date April through to FebruaryBRITISH AIRWAYS Change ChangeSCHEDULED SERVICES 2005 2004 (%) 2005 2004 (%)Passengers carried (000)UK/Europe 1621 1711 -5.3 21556 21670 -0.5Americas 491 491 -0.1 6611 6475 +2.1Asia Pacific 132 129 +2.4 1531 1344 +13.9Africa and Middle East 256 247 +3.7 2842 2579 +10.2Total 2499 2578 -3.1 32539 32068 +1.5 Revenue passenger km (m)UK/Europe 1424 1420 +0.3 19284 18514 +4.2Americas 3293 3294 -0.0 44237 43267 +2.2Asia Pacific 1359 1337 +1.7 15750 14207 +10.9Africa and Middle East 1739 1658 +4.9 19046 17293 +10.1Total 7816 7709 +1.4 98318 93281 +5.4 Available seat km (m)UK/Europe 2344 2331 +0.5 28379 27596 +2.8Americas 4647 4900 -5.2 56968 57412 -0.8Asia Pacific 1792 1762 +1.7 21273 19492 +9.1Africa and Middle East 2259 2208 +2.3 24939 23372 +6.7Total 11042 11202 -1.4 131559 127871 +2.9 Passenger load factor (%)UK/Europe 60.8 60.9 -0.1 pts 68.0 67.1 +0.9 ptsAmericas 70.9 67.2 +3.7 pts 77.7 75.4 +2.3 ptsAsia Pacific 75.8 75.9 -0.1 pts 74.0 72.9 +1.1 ptsAfrica and Middle East 77.0 75.1 +1.9 pts 76.4 74.0 +2.4 ptsTotal 70.8 68.8 +2.0 pts 74.7 72.9 +1.8 pts Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)Cargo tonne km (CTK) 381 405 -5.9 4505 4049 +11.3Total RTK 1158 1172 -1.1 14330 13387 +7.0Available tonne km (m) 1706 1754 -2.8 20576 19822 +3.8 Overall load factor (%) 67.9 66.8 +1.1 pts 69.6 67.5 +2.1 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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