British Airways PLC
05 September 2006
TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - August 2006
Summary of the headline figures
In August 2006, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was
5.1 per cent above August 2005. Traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger
Kilometres, was higher by 5.0 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load
factor down 0.1 points versus last year, to 77.8 per cent. The increase in
traffic comprised a 9.5 per cent increase in premium traffic and a 4.4 per cent
increase in non-premium traffic. Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres,
rose by 3.5 per cent. Overall load factor increased by 2.2 points to 71.7 per
cent.
Security Impact
During the period August 10-17 the airline cancelled some 1,280 flights as a
result of the disruption at the London airports. The airline estimates that the
financial impact for the month of August was around £40 million. This includes
lost revenue and increased costs of hotel accommodation, catering and baggage
repatriation.
Since the disruption there has been some impact on forward bookings. The overall
level of bookings has returned to levels experienced last year, but is still
weaker than the trend of the past few months. The recovery of premium and
non-premium transfer traffic, for example, is lagging due to the limitations on
carry on baggage at London.
Market conditions
Visibility is limited as we emerge from the issues surrounding the August
security increases, but underlying market conditions continue to be good.
Strategic Developments
British Airways called on the Office of Fair Trading to refer its study on the
UK airports market to the Competition Commission because of its concerns about
current airport regulation and ownership.
The airline said separate ownership of London Heathrow and London Stansted
airports should be considered because decisions on new runways in South East
England should not be concentrated in the hands of one company.
In the event of a break-up of BAA, the airline said there will be a continued
need for strong regulation to protect users against monopoly power, particularly
at London Heathrow and London Gatwick.
The airline sold its Travel Clinic business to MASTA (Medical Advisory Services
for Travellers Abroad)who will become British Airways Preferred Partner for
travel health services from this month.
Alan McDonald, British Airways' Director of Engineering, announced his
retirement after 40 years at the airline. He will be succeeded by Garry
Copeland, currently General Manager Quality and Engineering Services from
September 15.
ends
September 5, 2006
096/KG/06
BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS
Month of August Financial year
April through to Aug.
BRITISH AIRWAYS Change Change
SCHEDULED SERVICES 2006 2005 (%) 2006 2005 (%)
Passengers carried (000)
UK/Europe 2045 2063 -0.9 10545 10432 +1.1
Americas 646 629 +2.6 3429 3261 +5.2
Asia Pacific 164 159 +3.2 799 765 +4.5
Africa and Middle East 294 249 +17.8 1419 1209 +17.4
Total 3149 3101 +1.5 16192 15667 +3.4
Revenue passenger km (m)
UK/Europe 2014 1972 +2.1 10058 9791 +2.7
Americas 4357 4243 +2.7 23102 21885 +5.6
Asia Pacific 1668 1631 +2.3 8116 7864 +3.2
Africa and Middle East 1938 1656 +17.0 9420 8088 +16.5
Total 9978 9502 +5.0 50697 47628 +6.4
Available seat km (m)
UK/Europe 2641 2742 -3.7 13386 13777 -2.8
Americas 5629 5268 +6.9 28225 26838 +5.2
Asia Pacific 2095 2121 -1.2 10315 10439 -1.2
Africa and Middle East 2457 2062 +19.1 12239 10603 +15.4
Total 12822 12194 +5.1 64165 61657 +4.1
Passenger load factor (%)
UK/Europe 76.3 71.9 +4.4 pts 75.1 71.1 +4.0 pts
Americas 77.4 80.5 -3.1 pts 81.8 81.5 +0.3 pts
Asia Pacific 79.6 76.9 +2.7 pts 78.7 75.3 +3.4 pts
Africa and Middle East 78.9 80.3 -1.4 pts 77.0 76.3 +0.7 pts
Total 77.8 77.9 -0.1 pts 79.0 77.2 +1.8 pts
Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)
Cargo tonne km (CTK) 378 365 +3.5 2012 1956 +2.9
Total RTK 1404 1319 +6.4 7094 6707 +5.8
Available tonne km (m) 1957 1897 +3.2 9906 9615 +3.0
Overall load factor (%) 71.7 69.5 +2.2 pts 71.6 69.7 +1.9 pts
Certain statements included in this statement may be forward-looking and may
involve 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 and financing plans, expected future revenues and
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 itemise 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.
Investor Relations
Waterside (HCB3)
PO Box 365
Harmondsworth
UB7 OGB
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8738 6947
Fax: +44( 0) 20 8738 9602
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