August traffic and capacity s

RNS Number : 6640C

British Airways PLC

03 September 2008

 



TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - August 2008

Summary of the headline figures

In August 2008, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was 1.9 per cent above August 2007. Traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres, fell by 1.6 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load factor decrease of 2.7 points versus last year, to 77.3 per cent.  Traffic comprised a 2.2 per cent increase in premium traffic and a 2.1 per cent fall in non-premium traffic. 

Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, rose by 1.1 per cent.  

Market conditions

Market conditions for the industry remain very difficult, with the strong dollar largely offsetting the benefit of the recent fall in oil prices. The outlook for premium bookings is uncertain as forward booking patterns for business travel develop after the summer break. 

Strategic Developments

British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia signed a joint business agreement on flights between North America and Europe and plan to expand their global cooperation. The relationship will benefit consumers by providing easy, seamless and convenient travel to more global destinations with better connections, improved flight schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits. 

Shannon Airport was announced as the re-fuelling stop for British Airways' planned business-class only flights from London City to New York. During the stop customers will be allowed to complete USA arrivals checks, meaning they will by-pass the normal arrivals checks when they land in New York. The airline plans to launch twice-daily business class flights between London City and New York. It is expected the new service will launch in autumn 2009.

Team GB flew home with British Airways from Beijing to a heroes' welcome. 

British Airways was voted Best Transatlantic Airline by air travellers in this year's Skytrax survey.

British Airways celebrated £25 million raised since the 'Change for Good' partnership between the airline and UNICEF began in 1994. 

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September 3, 2008 118 /TC/08

BRITISH AIRWAYS SCHEDULED SERVICES
					Financial year to date
	Month of August				April to August
			Change				Change
	2008	2007	(%)		2008	2007	(%)
Passengers carried (000)
UK/Europe	1839	1919	-4.2		8969	9276	-3.3
Americas	692	693	-0.2		3252	3361	-3.3
Asia Pacific	156	162	-3.7		752	773	-2.7
Africa and Middle East	301	314	-4.0		1382	1460	-5.4
Total	2988	3088	-3.2		14354	14870	-3.5
Revenue passenger km (m)
UK/Europe	1987	1961	1.4		9386	9277	1.2
Americas	4643	4654	-0.2		21888	22650	-3.4
Asia Pacific	1604	1661	-3.4		7690	7904	-2.7
Africa and Middle East	1936	2058	-5.9		8960	9700	-7.6
Total	10170	10333	-1.6		47924	49531	-3.2
Available seat km (m)
UK/Europe	2712	2608	4.0		13293	12590	5.6
Americas	5966	5798	2.9		28812	28179	2.2
Asia Pacific	1987	1989	-0.1		9895	9906	-0.1
Africa and Middle East	2490	2515	-1.0		12160	12519	-2.9
Total	13155	12910	1.9		64160	63193	1.5
Passenger load factor (%)
UK/Europe	73.3	75.2	-1.9	pts	70.6	73.7	-3.1	pts
Americas	77.8	80.3	-2.5	pts	76.0	80.4	-4.4	pts
Asia Pacific	80.7	83.5	-2.8	pts	77.7	79.8	-2.1	pts
Africa and Middle East	77.7	81.8	-4.1	pts	73.7	77.5	-3.8	pts
Total	77.3	80.0	-2.7	pts	74.7	78.4	-3.7	pts
Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)
Cargo tonne km (CTK)	401	397	1.1		2044	1985	3.0
Total RTK	1421	1439	-1.2		6819	6974	-2.2
Available tonne km (m)	1966	1978	-0.6		9628	9692	-0.7
Overall load factor (%)	72.3	72.7	-0.4	pts	70.8	72.0	-1.2	pts

Certain information included in these statements is forward-looking and involves risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward looking statements. 

Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, projections relating to results of operations and financial conditions and the Company's plans and objectives for future operations, including, without limitation, discussions of the Company's Business Plan programs, expected future revenues, financing plans and expected expenditures and divestments. All forward-looking statements in this report are based upon information known to the Company on the date of this report. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 

It is not reasonably possible to itemize all of the many factors and specific events that could cause the Company's forward looking statements to be incorrect or that could otherwise have a material adverse effect on the future operations or results of an airline operating in the global economy. Fuller information on some factors which could result in material difference to the results is available in the company's Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2008, which is available on www.bashareholders.com.

Investor Relations,  Waterside (HAA3), PO Box 365, Harmondsworth, UB7 OGB: Tel: [phone]

 

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