5th Jun 2007 14:15
British Airways PLC05 June 2007 TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - May 2007 Summary of the headline figures In May 2007, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was 0.1per cent below May 2006. Traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres, waslower by 2.1 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load factor down 1.5 pointsversus last year, to 73.3 per cent. The decrease in traffic comprised a 2.1 percent decrease in premium traffic and a 2.1 per cent decrease in non-premiumtraffic. May 2006 was a particularly strong month with premium up 13.9 per cent andnon-premium up 5.7 per cent leading to soft year on year performance. Theunusual timing of bank holidays in the UK and continental Europe, continuingcarry-on baggage restrictions at Heathrow and the weak US dollar also impactedvolumes in May 2007. Premium growth in the first half of the year is unlikelydue to high comparative seat factors. Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, fell by 2.0 per cent. Overall loadfactor rose 0.6 points to 69.2 per cent. Market conditions Some weakness in non-premium, particularly on the North Atlantic and inshorthaul domestic, continues. Premium demand is expected to continue drivinghigh seat factors. Visibility around forward bookings continues to be limited. Revenue and costs The continuing weak US dollar, while not helpful to revenue, is having apositive impact on costs. Strategic Developments The airline filed an application with the US DoT for permission to operateservices between any point in the EU and US to enable it to grow the mostprofitable part of its business. Agreement was reached on new working practices for all 6,000 ground staffinvolved in the move to Heathrow's Terminal 5. The final ballot, by check-in andcustomer service staff, showed overwhelming support for more efficient ways ofworking, ahead of the move to the airline's new home in Terminal 5. British Airways and Amadeus signed an agreement for the distribution of theairline's fares and inventory to Amadeus travel agencies and corporations. Allfour GDSs have now agreed to new contracts. The company joined TPG Capital, Vista Capital, Inversiones Ibersuizas andQuercus Equity to investigate a possible consortium bid for Iberia. No guaranteewas given that a formal bid will be made. The airline has previously ruled outfurther capital investment as part of any consortium bid and will not make anindependent bid for the airline. British Airways' 13 flights a week to Vancouver move from London HeathrowTerminal 4 to Terminal 1 on June 1, 2007 to ease congestion and provide smootherconnections for customers. Eight new Airbus A320 family aircraft were ordered for delivery in 2008-2010marking the first step towards establishing a single fleet across the BritishAirways' network. The airline will also upgrade the Gatwick shorthaul fleet byreplacing the oldest 14 Boeing 737s with Airbus A319 aircraft. ends June 5, 2007 070/TC/07 BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS Month of May Financial year April through to MayBRITISH AIRWAYS Change ChangeSCHEDULED SERVICES 2007 2006 (%) 2007 2006 (%)Passengers carried (000)UK/Europe 1783 1791 -0.5 3524 3502 +0.6Americas 645 668 -3.5 1278 1338 -4.5Asia Pacific 140 144 -3.2 293 304 -3.7Africa and Middle East 266 267 -0.4 552 546 +1.1Total 2833 2871 -1.3 5647 5690 -0.8 Revenue passenger km (m)UK/Europe 1767 1770 -0.2 3484 3461 +0.6Americas 4336 4499 -3.6 8600 9012 -4.6Asia Pacific 1417 1455 -2.6 2981 3061 -2.6Africa and Middle East 1781 1777 +0.2 3698 3640 +1.6Total 9302 9501 -2.1 18763 19175 -2.2 Available seat km (m)UK/Europe 2537 2460 +3.1 4981 4807 +3.6Americas 5612 5673 -1.1 11038 11146 -1.0Asia Pacific 2021 2078 -2.7 3984 4095 -2.7Africa and Middle East 2526 2494 +1.3 5026 4897 +2.6Total 12696 12705 -0.1 25030 24945 +0.3 Passenger load factor (%)UK/Europe 69.7 71.9 -2.2 pts 69.9 72.0 -2.1 ptsAmericas 77.3 79.3 -2.0 pts 77.9 80.9 -3.0 ptsAsia Pacific 70.1 70.0 +0.1 pts 74.8 74.7 +0.1 ptsAfrica and Middle East 70.5 71.3 -0.8 pts 73.6 74.3 -0.7 ptsTotal 73.3 74.8 -1.5 pts 75.0 76.9 -1.9 pts Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)Cargo tonne km (CTK) 402 411 -2.0 787 820 -4.0Total RTK 1340 1360 -1.5 2675 2760 -3.1Available tonne km (m) 1936 1981 -2.3 3825 3954 -3.3 Overall load factor (%) 69.2 68.6 +0.6 pts 69.9 69.8 +0.1 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. 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 8738 694 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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