British Airways July Traffic

British Airways PLC
04 August 2004




TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - July 2004


Summary of the headline figures


In July 2004, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was 3.7
per cent above July 2003 and traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres,
was higher by 8.3 per cent.  This resulted in a passenger load factor up 3.3
points versus last year, to 79.7 per cent.  The increase in traffic comprised a
9.7 per cent increase in premium traffic and an 8.1 per cent increase in
non-premium traffic.  Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, rose by 25.7
per cent.   Overall load factor rose by 4.7 points to 72.6 per cent.   The
statistics are distorted by the unofficial strike action, which reduced both
Available Seat Kilometres and Revenue Passenger Kilometres by some two
percentage points in July 2003.



Market conditions


Market conditions remain unchanged.  Longhaul premium volumes are recovering
steadily, while shorthaul premium travel remains at lower levels.  Non-premium
volumes are very price-sensitive.



Strategic Developments


British Airways' annual Social and Environmental report was published and showed
that during the last five years, the airline's aircraft noise levels had halved,
global carbon dioxide emissions were down by 15 per cent and nitrogen dioxide
emissions at Heathrow were down by 13 per cent.  Fuel efficiency had improved by
25 per cent since 1990.

British Airways is the only airline participating in the government's trial
emissions trading scheme and has reduced its domestic carbon dioxide emissions
by 17 per cent, compared to a1998-2000 baseline.



A record number of British Airways' customers last month checked-in online -
with more than 100,000 checking in from the comfort of their own home.  By
visiting ba.com customers can spend a couple of minutes checking in and then use
an interactive seat map of the aircraft to choose their seats.

British Airways announced an Employee Reward Plan so that all staff can benefit
from the airline's future success.



Notice of ballots for industrial action over pay have been received from the
TGWU representing ground support services staff and from the TGWU and GMB
covering administration and terminal staff.  The company has offered a rise in
pensionable pay over three years of some 8.5 per cent or some 10.5% increase in
non-pensionable pay.  Earlier today British Airways proposed to the unions that
the issue be settled by formal binding arbitration.



                                      ends





August 4, 2004
                                              068/CW/04



                             BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS


                                                  Month of July                   Financial year to date
                                                                                    April through July
BRITISH AIRWAYS GROUP                                    Change                                    Change
SCHEDULED SERVICES                    2004       2003       (%)             2004        2003          (%)

Passengers carried (000)
UK/Europe                             2311       2258      +2.3             8541        8491         +0.6
Americas                               683        651      +5.1             2603        2464         +5.6
Asia Pacific                           148        127     +17.0              533         399        +33.5
Africa and Middle East                 263        235     +12.1              971         842        +15.3
Total                                 3406       3270      +4.1            12648       12196         +3.7

Revenue passenger km (m)
UK/Europe                             2112       1972      +7.1             7661        7278         +5.3
Americas                              4577       4338      +5.5            17384       16490         +5.4
Asia Pacific                          1521       1345     +13.1             5489        4310        +27.3
Africa and Middle East                1742       1537     +13.3             6444        5662        +13.8
Total                                 9952       9191      +8.3            36978       33740         +9.6

Available seat km (m)
UK/Europe                             2757       2655      +3.8            10599       10314         +2.8
Americas                              5471       5468      +0.1            21387       21051         +1.6
Asia Pacific                          2004       1847      +8.5             7691        6693        +14.9
Africa and Middle East                2248       2067      +8.8             8872        7998        +10.9
Total                                12481      12037      +3.7            48549       46056         +5.4

Passenger load factor (%)
UK/Europe                             76.6       74.3      +2.3 pts         72.3        70.6         +1.7 pts
Americas                              83.7       79.3      +4.4 pts         81.3        78.3         +3.0 pts
Asia Pacific                          75.9       72.8      +3.1 pts         71.4        64.4         +7.0 pts
Africa and Middle East                77.5       74.4      +3.1 pts         72.6        70.8         +1.8 pts
Total                                 79.7       76.4      +3.3 pts         76.2        73.3         +2.9 pts

Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)
Cargo tonne km (CTK)                   419        333     +25.7             1630        1387        +17.5
Total RTK                             1413       1254     +12.7             5312        4758        +11.6
Available tonne km (m)                1946       1846      +5.4             7588        7062         +7.5

Overall load factor (%)               72.6       67.9      +4.7 pts         70.0        67.4         +2.6 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.



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