3rd Nov 2006 07:01
British Airways PLC03 November 2006 TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - October 2006 Summary of the headline figures In October 2006, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was0.8 per cent above October 2005. Traffic, measured in Revenue PassengerKilometres, was higher by 1.1 per cent. This resulted in a passenger loadfactor up 0.2 points versus last year, to 74.9 per cent. The increase intraffic comprised a 2.1 per cent increase in premium traffic and a 1.1 per centincrease in non-premium traffic. Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres,decreased by 7.2 per cent. Overall load factor increased by 0.5 points to 70.4per cent. Market conditions Overall market conditions are broadly unchanged. Longhaul premium transfer andshorthaul premium traffic, although recovering, continue to be affected by thetighter security arrangements currently in place. As a result, total revenue isnow expected to be 4.5 per cent to 5 per cent higher than last year, down half aper cent from our previous guidance. We welcome the government's announcementyesterday on the re-introduction of liquids in cabin baggage which brings the UKinto line with the rest of the EU. We will continue to support the BAA as theywork to improve the customer experience across London's airports. Costs We expect that total costs, excluding fuel, will be flat compared to last year.Total fuel costs net of hedging for the year are expected to be some £400million higher than last year, based on current prices and sterling dollarexchange rates. Strategic Developments British Airways launched a competition for new longhaul aircraft by issuingtender documents to aircraft and engine manufacturers. Airbus, Boeing as wellas engine manufacturers Engine Alliance, General Electric and Rolls Royce plusother key component suppliers have been invited to bid. The competition is thefirst step in a lengthy process before the airline makes a decision on fleetgrowth and replacement for the next decade. Launching the competitionhighlights the need to tackle the airline's £2.1 billion pension deficit in theNew Airways Pension Scheme (NAPS). Martin George, commercial director, and Iain Burns, British Airways' head ofcommunications resigned their positions with the airline on October 9. Theyhad been on leave of absence since June 2006 when the Office of Fair Trading andthe US Department of Justice began an investigation focused on long-haulpassenger fuel surcharges. Robert Boyle, British Airways' director of planningwas appointed commercial director and Thomas Coops, former communicationsdirector at Abbey National, was appointed interim head of corporate and mediarelations. The airline launched a promotion offering savings of up to £1,455 on Club Worldreturn fares to 36 longhaul destinations this winter including New York,Shanghai and Tokyo. The airline also launched a promotion offering savings of up to £185 to US andCanadian ski destinations this winter including Denver, Vancouver and Calgary. Ends November 3, 2006 109/CW/06 BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS Month of October Financial year April through to OctBRITISH AIRWAYS Change ChangeSCHEDULED SERVICES 2006 2005 (%) 2006 2005 (%)Passengers carried (000)UK/Europe 2064 2024 +2.0 14766 14591 +1.2Americas 589 615 -4.2 4658 4525 +2.9Asia Pacific 165 172 -4.3 1130 1111 +1.7Africa and Middle East 286 248 +15.3 1990 1714 +16.1Total 3104 3059 +1.5 22543 21940 +2.7 Revenue passenger km (m)UK/Europe 1960 1869 +4.8 14088 13667 +3.1Americas 3983 4139 -3.8 31403 30392 +3.3Asia Pacific 1682 1774 -5.2 11494 11416 +0.7Africa and Middle East 1951 1693 +15.2 13282 11500 +15.5Total 9576 9476 +1.1 70268 66974 +4.9 Available seat km (m)UK/Europe 2693 2749 -2.1 18730 19264 -2.8Americas 5492 5492 -0.0 39314 37687 +4.3Asia Pacific 2085 2233 -6.6 14429 14844 -2.8Africa and Middle East 2512 2210 +13.7 17154 14937 +14.8Total 12782 12684 +0.8 89627 86732 +3.3 Passenger load factor (%)UK/Europe 72.8 68.0 +4.8 pts 75.2 70.9 +4.3 ptsAmericas 72.5 75.4 -2.9 pts 79.9 80.6 -0.7 ptsAsia Pacific 80.7 79.4 +1.3 pts 79.7 76.9 +2.8 ptsAfrica and Middle East 77.7 76.6 +1.1 pts 77.4 77.0 +0.4 ptsTotal 74.9 74.7 +0.2 pts 78.4 77.2 +1.2 pts Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)Cargo tonne km (CTK) 407 439 -7.2 2810 2804 +0.2Total RTK 1375 1380 -0.4 9884 9480 +4.3Available tonne km (m) 1954 1973 -1.0 13810 13532 +2.1 Overall load factor (%) 70.4 69.9 +0.5 pts 71.6 70.1 +1.5 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. 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:
International Airlines