5th Dec 2007 14:15
British Airways PLC05 December 2007 TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - November 2007 Summary of the headline figures In November 2007, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was1.6 per cent above November 2006. Traffic, measured in Revenue PassengerKilometres, rose 2.4 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load factor up 0.6points versus last year, to 73.1 per cent. The increase in traffic comprised a5.0 per cent increase in premium traffic and a 1.9 per cent rise in non-premiumtraffic. Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, rose by 5.5 per cent. Market conditions Longhaul premium markets continue to be strong. However, as indicated at interimresults, shorthaul premium traffic shows some weakness as corporate customersadjust travel policies on shorter travel sectors. The single hand baggage rulealso continues to have an effect but the alleviation of this rule in Januarywill benefit the shorthaul premium market in particular. Our guidance on revenuewhich we gave at the interim results of a 3-3.5 per cent increase for the yearis unchanged. Strategic Developments The UK Government launched its consultation on a third runway and mixed-mode forHeathrow. British Airways said a third runway and fuller use of the two existingrunways would create national economic benefits worth more than £9 billion ayear. The airline said this would cut delays and allow Heathrow to increase itsglobal route network significantly, which is essential for the UK to maintainprosperity in a globalised economy. British Airways increased its fuel surcharge on all tickets booked from ThursdayNovember 15, 2007. The decision reflected record oil prices and took rising fuelcosts into account. As reported in November, the airline expects its fuel coststo increase by £100 million in the current financial year, with the total fuelbill for the year anticipated to exceed £2 billion for the first time. The airline announced it is launching new shorthaul routes from Heathrow,Gatwick and London City airports from March 30, 2008. The airline will startflights from Heathrow to Malaga and from Gatwick to Alicante, Faro, Gibraltar,Ibiza, Malaga, Palma and Tunis. BA Cityflyer, the airline's wholly ownedsubsidiary which operates from London City airport, is to launch four new routesnext summer to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Nice and Warsaw. Tony McCarthy was announced as the company's new director for people. He joinsthe airline on December 10, 2007 from Royal Mail where, as group director peopleand organisational development, he was a key member of the senior managementteam. Prior to joining Royal Mail, he spent almost 25 years with BAE Systems andheld a range of top-level human resources roles, including the post of group HRdirector. British Airways confirmed that it would not exercise its pre-emption rights toacquire any of the Iberia shares being sold by BBVA and Logista. The BritishAirways and TPG led consortium formally withdrew their interest in bidding forIberia. ends December 5, 2007 122/TC/07 BRITISH AIRWAYS SCHEDULED SERVICES Financial year Month of November April to November 2007 2006 Change (%) 2007 2006/7 Change (%)Passengers carried (000)UK/Europe 1497 1529 -2.1 14438 14480 -0.3Americas 576 525 +9.8 5210 5184 +0.5Asia Pacific 146 143 +1.9 1241 1273 -2.5Africa and Middle East 301 321 -6.2 2342 2311 +1.3Total 2520 2518 +0.1 23231 23248 -0.1 Revenue passenger km (m)UK/Europe 1430 1457 -1.9 14348 14404 -0.4Americas 3850 3512 +9.6 35057 34928 +0.4Asia Pacific 1504 1462 +2.9 12729 12956 -1.8Africa and Middle East 2057 2203 -6.6 15661 15487 +1.1Total 8841 8633 +2.4 77794 77775 +0.0 Available seat km (m)UK/Europe 2317 2246 +3.2 19949 19145 +4.2Americas 5241 4871 +7.6 44607 44196 +0.9Asia Pacific 1888 1933 -2.3 15688 16362 -4.1Africa and Middle East 2642 2851 -7.3 20204 20007 +1.0Total 12089 11901 +1.6 100447 99709 +0.7 Passenger load factor (%)UK/Europe 61.7 64.8 -3.1 pts 71.9 75.2 -3.3 ptsAmericas 73.5 72.1 +1.4 pts 78.6 79.0 -0.4 ptsAsia Pacific 79.6 75.6 +4.0 pts 81.1 79.2 +1.9 ptsAfrica and Middle East 77.9 77.3 +0.6 pts 77.5 77.4 +0.1 ptsTotal 73.1 72.5 +0.6 pts 77.4 78.0 -0.6 pts Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)Cargo tonne km (CTK) 431 408 +5.5 3230 3220 +0.3Total RTK 1321 1285 +2.6 11056 11070 -0.1Available tonne km (m) 1843 1834 +0.4 15377 15467 -0.6 Overall load factor (%) 71.7 70.1 +1.6 pts 71.9 71.6 +0.3 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 (HAA3), PO Box 365, Harmondsworth, UB7 OGB: Tel:+44 (0) 20 8738 6947 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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