5th Mar 2007 14:15
British Airways PLC05 March 2007 TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - February 2007 Summary of the headline figures In February 2007, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was0.9 per cent above February 2006. Traffic, measured in Revenue PassengerKilometres, was lower by 4.2 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load factordown 3.7 points versus last year, to 67.5 per cent. The decrease in trafficcomprised a 6.3 per cent decrease in premium traffic and a 3.8 per cent decreasein non-premium traffic. Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, decreased by10.9 per cent. Overall load factor fell by 2.6 points to 64.7 per cent. Strike dates were announced in January covering six days in the first two weeksof February. During these days we closed our systems to new bookings. Aspremium travel is predominantly booked two to three weeks pre-departure, premiumbookings during this period were significantly impacted. Market conditions Market conditions are broadly unchanged. Strategic Developments British Airways took the first step towards expanding its longhaul fleet byordering four Boeing 777-200 ER aircraft for delivery during early 2009, withoptions on four Boeing 777-200 ER aircraft for delivery in 2010. British Airways and the trustees of the New Airways Pension Scheme (NAPS)formally agreed a ten year funding plan to tackle the £2.1 billion deficit inthe scheme. The plan, which was agreed in principle with the trustees last year,includes annual company contributions of some £280 million, a one-off cashinjection of £800 million and benefit changes to take effect from April 1. Italso includes an additional £150 million in cash over the next three years,subject to the airline's financial performance. The benefit changes deliver animmediate deficit reduction of some £400 million and a saving of some £80million a year. The airline launched Easter breaks with up to 45 per cent off British Airwaysbusiness class (Club World) fares to 28 holiday destinations if booked beforeMarch 8, 2007. These included return fares from London to New York starting from£1349 (saving up to £983), £1349 to Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia andWashington (saving up to £1083 each) and £1749 to Seattle (saving up to £1412).Los Angeles and San Francisco are available from £1649 (saving up to £1337each). ends March 5, 2007 033/KG/07 Note: Traffic stistics will exclude the regional operations of BA Connect fromnext month. BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS Month of February Financial year April through to FebBRITISH AIRWAYS Change ChangeSCHEDULED SERVICES 2007 2006 (%) 2007 2006 (%)Passengers carried (000)UK/Europe 1491 1613 -7.6 21164 21214 -0.2Americas 455 484 -5.9 6756 6727 +0.4Asia Pacific 125 148 -15.2 1681 1740 -3.4Africa and Middle East 293 276 +6.0 3272 2888 +13.3Total 2364 2520 -6.2 32873 32569 +0.9 Revenue passenger km (m)UK/Europe 1363 1421 -4.1 19972 19534 +2.2Americas 3084 3260 -5.4 45563 45185 +0.8Asia Pacific 1291 1524 -15.3 17177 17931 -4.2Africa and Middle East 2018 1894 +6.5 22080 19551 +12.9Total 7756 8099 -4.2 104791 102202 +2.5 Available seat km (m)UK/Europe 2309 2327 -0.8 28396 28997 -2.1Americas 4745 4634 +2.4 59457 57448 +3.5Asia Pacific 1779 2000 -11.0 21941 23367 -6.1Africa and Middle East 2651 2416 +9.7 28567 25282 +13.0Total 11484 11377 +0.9 138361 135094 +2.4 Passenger load factor (%)UK/Europe 59.1 61.1 -2.0 pts 70.3 67.4 +2.9 ptsAmericas 65.0 70.3 -5.3 pts 76.6 78.7 -2.1 ptsAsia Pacific 72.6 76.2 -3.6 pts 78.3 76.7 +1.6 ptsAfrica and Middle East 76.1 78.4 -2.3 pts 77.3 77.3 +0.0 ptsTotal 67.5 71.2 -3.7 pts 75.7 75.7 +0.0 pts Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)Cargo tonne km (CTK) 336 377 -10.9 4309 4471 -3.6Total RTK 1116 1181 -5.5 14897 14683 +1.5Available tonne km (m) 1725 1756 -1.7 21235 21081 +0.7 Overall load factor (%) 64.7 67.3 -2.6 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. The estimated impact of the averted strike in Quarter 4 reflects the directcosts of the measures and the estimated revenue impacts, both direct andindirect. The estimate of £80 million is based on assumptions the companyconsiders reasonable, but are judgemental. 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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