5th Jun 2006 14:15
British Airways PLC05 June 2006 TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - May 2006 Summary of the headline figures In May 2006, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was 5.1per cent above May 2005. Traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres, washigher by 6.9 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load factor up 1.3 pointsversus last year, to 74.5 per cent. The increase in traffic comprised a 13.9per cent increase in premium traffic and a 5.7 per cent increase in non-premiumtraffic. Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, increased by 2.3 per cent.Overall load factor increased by 0.7 points to 68.4 per cent. Market conditions Market conditions remain broadly unchanged as significant promotional activityis required to maintain seat factors. Strategic Developments British Airways announced a pre-tax profit of £620 million for the year to March31, 2006 (2005: £513 million profit). The pre-tax profit for the fourthquarter was £91 million (2005: £6 million loss). Operating profit for the yearwas £705 million (2005: £556 million profit) and £93 million for the quarter(2005: £46 million profit). The company's accounting valuation of its main pension scheme, the New AirwaysPension Scheme (NAPS), showed a deficit of £2,070 million at March 31, 2006, up£101 million on the previous year. The accounting deficit reflects low long-terminterest rates and has gone up despite the company's increased contributions andstrong equity markets. British Airways welcomed the statement from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)that it will protect customers at BAA airports from being overcharged to fundpayments to the airport operator's shareholders during its current bid battle.The CAA is currently consulting on the level of user charges at Heathrow,Gatwick and Stansted airports for a five year period from April 2008 in its roleas economic regulator. The airline launched a promotion offering savings of up to £1,250 on Club Worldreturn fares to 58 long haul destinations this summer including New York,Singapore and all Caribbean destinations. Ends June 5, 2006 043/CW/2006 BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS Month of May Financial year April through to MayBRITISH AIRWAYS Change ChangeSCHEDULED SERVICES 2006 2005 (%) 2006 2005 (%) Passengers carried (000) UK/Europe 2050 2030 +1.0 4009 3953 +1.4Americas 668 635 +5.2 1338 1258 +6.4Asia Pacific 144 133 +8.9 304 273 +11.6Africa and Middle East 267 225 +18.5 546 464 +17.8Total 3129 3023 +3.5 6198 5947 +4.2 Revenue passenger km (m) UK/Europe 1931 1903 +1.5 3779 3656 +3.4Americas 4499 4247 +6.0 9012 8405 +7.2Asia Pacific 1455 1374 +5.9 3061 2817 +8.6Africa and Middle East 1777 1513 +17.4 3640 3112 +17.0Total 9662 9037 +6.9 19493 17991 +8.4 Available seat km (m) UK/Europe 2727 2796 -2.5 5319 5481 -3.0Americas 5673 5393 +5.2 11146 10648 +4.7Asia Pacific 2078 1994 +4.2 4095 3923 +4.4Africa and Middle East 2494 2160 +15.4 4897 4272 +14.6Total 12972 12344 +5.1 25457 24324 +4.7 Passenger load factor (%) UK/Europe 70.8 68.0 +2.8 pts 71.0 66.7 +4.3 ptsAmericas 79.3 78.7 +0.6 pts 80.9 78.9 +2.0 ptsAsia Pacific 70.0 68.9 +1.1 pts 74.7 71.8 +2.9 ptsAfrica and Middle East 71.3 70.0 +1.3 pts 74.3 72.8 +1.5 ptsTotal 74.5 73.2 +1.3 pts 76.6 74.0 +2.6 pts Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m) Cargo tonne km (CTK) 411 401 +2.3 820 795 +3.2Total RTK 1374 1303 +5.5 2760 2585 +6.8Available tonne km (m) 2009 1925 +4.4 3954 3799 +4.1 Overall load factor (%) 68.4 67.7 +0.7 pts 69.8 68.1 +1.7 pts Certain statements included in this statement may be forward-looking and mayinvolve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differmaterially from 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 and financing plans, expected future revenues andexpenditures and divestments. All forward-looking statements in this report arebased upon information known to the company on the date of this report. Thecompany 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 itemise 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. Investor Relations Waterside (HCB3) PO Box 365 Harmondsworth UB7 OGB Tel: +44 (0) 20 8738 6947 Fax: +44( 0) 20 8738 9602 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
International Airlines