5th Dec 2006 14:15
British Airways PLC05 December 2006 TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - November 2006 Summary of the headline figures In November 2006, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was0.7 per cent above November 2005. Traffic, measured in Revenue PassengerKilometres, was lower by 0.8 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load factordown 1.0 points versus last year, to 72.2 per cent. The decrease in trafficcomprised a 3.7 per cent increase in premium traffic and a 1.6 per cent decreasein non-premium traffic. Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, decreased by8.2 per cent. Overall load factor fell by 0.3 points to 69.8 per cent. Market conditions Underlying market conditions are broadly unchanged, bookings are continuing torecover supported by common European carry on baggage standards and improvedperformance at Heathrow. Strategic Developments The airline has reached agreement in principle to sell the regional operation ofits subsidiary airline BA Connect to Flybe. The airline purchased American Airline's remaining stake in Iberia forapproximately 19 million euros (or £13 million) taking BA's total share holdingfrom some nine to ten per cent. The transaction is intended to preserve BritishAirways' two seats on the Iberia board. BA unveiled its next generation business class cabin which offers greatercomfort, more space and storage. It is part of an £100 million investment inthe airline's products and services that includes its First Class cabin and theintroduction of an on-demand in-flight entertainment system in every cabinacross the longhaul fleet. The new Club World flat bed is 25 per cent wider witha unique 'z' bed position that extends to six foot six inches. A ten year funding plan to tackle the £2.1billion deficit in the New AirwaysPension Scheme (NAPS) was agreed in principle between BA and the trustees. Itincludes an increase in the company's one off cash injection from £500 - £800million plus cash payments of £50 million for three years and an increase inannual contributions to over £250 million. Following consultation with its trades unions the company proposed to increaseits annual contributions to £272 million and offered staff the choice of anormal retirement age of 60 with increased staff contributions or retirement at65 with a reduced pension. Willie Walsh, chief executive, called for faster progress on plans to increaserunway capacity at Heathrow airport. He urged the Government to set out astep-by-step timetable for the introduction of mixed mode operations and a shortthird runway, with clear deadlines for the necessary preparatory work by airportowner BAA and the Civil Aviation Authority. British Airways announced a review of its uniform policy to examine ways inwhich the policy can be adapted to allow symbols of faith to be worn openlywhile remaining consistent with the British Airways brand and compliant withemployment legislation. A mini 'World Offers' sale to 36 popular long-haul destinations with savings ofup to 53 per cent was announced. New routes from London Gatwick to Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago, Dresdenin Germany and Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina will start from March 2007.The airline signed a codeshare agreement with Caribbean Airlines on BritishAirways' services to Port of Spain, Barbados and Antigua. ends December 5, 2006 129/KG/06 BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS Month of November Financial year April through to NovBRITISH AIRWAYS Change ChangeSCHEDULED SERVICES 2006 2005 (%) 2006 2005 (%)Passengers carried (000)UK/Europe 1747 1728 +1.1 16513 16320 +1.2Americas 525 570 -8.0 5184 5096 +1.7Asia Pacific 143 152 -5.6 1273 1263 +0.9Africa and Middle East 321 281 +14.0 2311 1995 +15.8Total 2736 2732 +0.1 25281 24673 +2.5 Revenue passenger km (m)UK/Europe 1588 1514 +4.8 15676 15182 +3.3Americas 3512 3815 -7.9 34928 34212 +2.1Asia Pacific 1462 1560 -6.3 12956 12976 -0.2Africa and Middle East 2203 1942 +13.4 15487 13442 +15.2Total 8764 8831 -0.8 79047 75813 +4.3 Available seat km (m)UK/Europe 2491 2470 +0.8 21220 21735 -2.4Americas 4871 4930 -1.2 44196 42623 +3.7Asia Pacific 1933 2074 -6.8 16362 16918 -3.3Africa and Middle East 2851 2588 +10.1 20007 17525 +14.2Total 12145 12063 +0.7 101784 98801 +3.0 Passenger load factor (%)UK/Europe 63.7 61.3 +2.4 pts 73.9 69.9 +4.0 ptsAmericas 72.1 77.4 -5.3 pts 79.0 80.3 -1.3 ptsAsia Pacific 75.6 75.2 +0.4 pts 79.2 76.7 +2.5 ptsAfrica and Middle East 77.3 75.0 +2.3 pts 77.4 76.7 +0.7 ptsTotal 72.2 73.2 -1.0 pts 77.7 76.7 +1.0 pts Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)Cargo tonne km (CTK) 408 444 -8.2 3221 3252 -1.0Total RTK 1297 1325 -2.1 11185 10810 +3.5Available tonne km (m) 1858 1890 -1.7 15677 15430 +1.6 Overall load factor (%) 69.8 70.1 -0.3 pts 71.3 70.1 +1.2 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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