3rd Aug 2007 07:00
British Airways PLC03 August 2007 TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - July 2007 Summary of the headline figures In July 2007, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was 1.1per cent below July 2006. Traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres,was lower by 2.9 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load factor down 1.5points versus last year, to 81.2 per cent. The decrease in traffic comprised a2.6 per cent decrease in premium traffic and a 2.9 per cent decrease innon-premium traffic. Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, fell by 5.2 per cent. Overall loadfactor fell by 0.3 points to 73.6 per cent. A number of flights were cancelled as a result of external events including theterrorist attack at Glasgow airport on June 30, the security closure of Terminal4 on July 3 and the extreme weather and flooding that occurred on July 20. Market conditions As the Heathrow terminals continue to operate above capacity this will affectour ability to recover quickly from any unexpected events. Combined with thecontinued weakness of the US dollar our revenue guidance is reduced by 1 percent to around 4 per cent to reflect these risks. Costs Our revised cost guidance year on year is flat, excluding fuel, reflecting bothexpected exchange benefits from the weaker dollar and strong performance in thefirst quarter. Fuel costs are now expected to be up £120 million on last year, £20 millionworse than our previous guidance. Strategic Developments The new Transport Minister Ruth Kelly convened a summit of airline chiefexecutives to look at security restrictions. BA's chief executive Willie Walshmade it very clear that the one piece of hand luggage restriction, which appliesto customers departing and transferring through the UK, has no securityjustification and has become intensely irritating to customers. At its AGM the airline announced new targets to improve its fuel efficiency by25 per cent by 2025. This is on top of the 28 per cent improvement in fuelefficiency already achieved since 1990. All services were suspended from Heathrow's Terminal 4 on Tuesday, July 3 frommid-day until 5pm as a result of a security alert. This caused widespreaddisruption. International Aero Engines V2500 engines have been chosen to power BA's eightnew Airbus A320 family aircraft that will be delivered in 2008-2010. The airlinealso signed a long-term maintenance agreement with IAE for the engines. ends August 3, 2007 082/KG/07 BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS Month of July Financial year April through to JulyBRITISH AIRWAYS Change ChangeSCHEDULED SERVICES 2007 2006 (%) 2007 2006 (%)Passengers carried (000)UK/Europe 1974 2026 -2.5 7357 7446 -1.2Americas 686 719 -4.5 2667 2782 -4.1Asia Pacific 163 172 -5.1 610 635 -3.8Africa and Middle East 307 302 +1.6 1146 1124 +1.9Total 3130 3218 -2.7 11780 11987 -1.7 Revenue passenger km (m)UK/Europe 1985 2024 -1.9 7316 7384 -0.9Americas 4650 4851 -4.2 17985 18739 -4.0Asia Pacific 1682 1769 -4.9 6242 6439 -3.1Africa and Middle East 2020 2001 +1.0 7640 7479 +2.2Total 10338 10645 -2.9 39183 40042 -2.1 Available seat km (m)UK/Europe 2547 2490 +2.3 9982 9703 +2.9Americas 5701 5814 -1.9 22373 22593 -1.0Asia Pacific 1987 2092 -5.0 7917 8211 -3.6Africa and Middle East 2498 2477 +0.8 10002 9780 +2.3Total 12733 12873 -1.1 50274 50286 -0.0 Passenger load factor (%)UK/Europe 77.9 81.3 -3.4 pts 73.3 76.1 -2.8 ptsAmericas 81.6 83.4 -1.8 pts 80.4 82.9 -2.5 ptsAsia Pacific 84.7 84.6 +0.1 pts 78.8 78.4 +0.4 ptsAfrica and Middle East 80.9 80.8 +0.1 pts 76.4 76.5 -0.1 ptsTotal 81.2 82.7 -1.5 pts 77.9 79.6 -1.7 pts Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)Cargo tonne km (CTK) 382 402 -5.2 1570 1631 -3.7Total RTK 1424 1465 -2.8 5515 5626 -2.0Available tonne km (m) 1935 1984 -2.5 7686 7835 -1.9 Overall load factor (%) 73.6 73.9 -0.3 pts 71.8 71.8 +0.0 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. Fuller information onsome factors which could result in material difference to the results isavailable in the company's Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2007, whichis available on www.bashareholders.com. Investor Relations Waterside (HCB3) PO Box 365 Harmondsworth UB7 OGB Tel: +44 (0) 20 8738694 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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