4th Nov 2005 07:04
British Airways PLC04 November 2005 TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - October 2005 Summary of the headline figures In October 2005, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was5.7 per cent above October 2004. Traffic, measured in Revenue PassengerKilometres, was higher by 6.4 per cent. This resulted in a passenger loadfactor up 0.5 points versus last year, to 74.7 per cent. The increase intraffic comprised a 6.8 per cent increase in premium traffic and a 6.3 per centincrease in non-premium traffic. Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres,fell by 4.7 per cent. Overall load factor fell by 1.2 points at 69.9 per cent. Market conditions Continued capacity restraint by the industry is resulting in a more stable priceenvironment. This coupled with good demand for premium traffic (in particularthe growth in leisure premium) has delivered a small yield improvement. Assumingcontinued stable economies and a rational capacity environment, some yieldimprovement is now expected for this financial year. Consequently, revenue isnow expected to grow by between 6% - 7% (up 0.5 points from our previousguidance). Despite the improved revenue outlook, market conditions remain broadly unchangedas significant promotional activity is required to maintain seat factors. Costs Fuel costs continue to be a challenge for the industry, but our guidance isunchanged with total fuel costs expected to be up by £525 million this year. Strategic Developments British Airways' winter schedule, which started on October 30, 2005, saw theairline's services from London Heathrow to India increase from 19 to 35 flightseach week. A new five per week service to Bangalore started, frequencies toMumbai doubled to two flights per day and flights to Chennai increased from twoto six each week. The airline will start a new service from London Gatwick toGrenoble in December. Flights from Birmingham to Rome and Vienna, operated byBritish Airways CitiExpress, were suspended. British Airways appointed Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) as its worldwide creativeadvertising agency. The decision followed a review of the existing contract anda formal competitive pitch process. BBH start their contact on November 15,2005. Royal Jordanian announced that it is to join the oneworld alliance. JapanAirlines (JAL) announced its intention to seek membership of oneworld. November 4, 2005 BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS Month of October Financial year April through to OctBRITISH AIRWAYS Change ChangeSCHEDULED SERVICES 2005 2004 (%) 2005 2004 (%)Passengers carried (000)UK/Europe 2024 2019 +0.3 14591 14852 -1.8Americas 615 571 +7.6 4525 4421 +2.4Asia Pacific 172 148 +16.8 1111 971 +14.4Africa and Middle East 248 256 -3.2 1714 1751 -2.1Total 3059 2994 +2.2 21940 21995 -0.2 Revenue passenger km (m)UK/Europe 1869 1808 +3.4 13667 13422 +1.8Americas 4139 3841 +7.8 30392 29557 +2.8Asia Pacific 1774 1526 +16.3 11416 9992 +14.3Africa and Middle East 1693 1729 -2.1 11500 11630 -1.1Total 9476 8904 +6.4 66974 64601 +3.7 Available seat km (m)UK/Europe 2749 2644 +4.0 19264 18558 +3.8Americas 5492 5115 +7.4 37687 37004 +1.8Asia Pacific 2233 2008 +11.2 14844 13626 +8.9Africa and Middle East 2210 2230 -0.9 14937 15422 -3.1Total 12684 11998 +5.7 86732 84610 +2.5 Passenger load factor (%)UK/Europe 68.0 68.4 -0.4 pts 70.9 72.3 -1.4 ptsAmericas 75.4 75.1 +0.3 pts 80.6 79.9 +0.7 ptsAsia Pacific 79.4 76.0 +3.4 pts 76.9 73.3 +3.6 ptsAfrica and Middle East 76.6 77.5 -0.9 pts 77.0 75.4 +1.6 ptsTotal 74.7 74.2 +0.5 pts 77.2 76.4 +0.8 pts Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)Cargo tonne km (CTK) 439 461 -4.7 2804 2877 -2.5Total RTK 1380 1346 +2.5 9480 9318 +1.7Available tonne km (m) 1973 1892 +4.3 13532 13245 +2.2 Overall load factor (%) 69.9 71.1 -1.2 pts 70.1 70.4 -0.3 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:
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