December traffic and capacity

British Airways PLC
06 January 2005


TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - December 2004


Summary of the headline figures


In December 2004, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was
3.9 per cent above December 2003.  Traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger
Kilometres, was higher by 3.2 per cent.  This resulted in a passenger load
factor down 0.6 points versus last year, to 72.7 per cent.  The increase in
traffic comprised a 6.8 per cent increase in premium traffic and a 2.7 per cent
increase in non-premium traffic.  Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres,
rose by 9.7 per cent.   Overall load factor rose by 0.3 points to 70.3 per cent.

For the October to December quarter, ASKs rose by 1.9 per cent, with RPKs rising
by 2.0 per cent.  This resulted in an increase in passenger load factor of 0.1
points, to 72.8 per cent.  This comprised a 3.5 per cent increase in premium
traffic and a 1.8 per cent increase in non-premium traffic.  CTKs rose by 9.7
per cent.


Market conditions

Market conditions are broadly unchanged.


Costs

As a result of yen appreciation against sterling, there will be a non-cash
accounting loss of £6 million in the third quarter financial results.


Strategic Developments


British Airways and Iberia signed an agreement to develop a joint business on
key routes between London and Spain that includes revenue and cost sharing on
flights between London Heathrow and Madrid and Barcelona.  The deal means the
two carriers will now offer a better spread and choice of flight timings on
these routes and better connections and shorter journey times for customers
travelling to destinations around the world from London Heathrow and Madrid.


A new feature on ba.com means British Airways' customers can now change their
flight bookings from their own computer, upgrade class of travel and cancel and
arrange a refund of their tickets.  Any costs for changes are calculated
instantly and are completely transparent.


British Airways opened its first drive-through check-in for Club World
passengers and a new exclusive check-in and lounge for First passengers in
Barbados.


British Airways' New Year sale featured up to three quarters of a million
discounted tickets to more than 65 worldwide destinations with savings of up to
£331.   Bargains include Venice for £65 return, New York for £199 return and
Hong Kong for £399 return.


Alan Burnett was appointed as head of British Airways' UK and Ireland sales and
marketing.  He replaces David Noyes, who took up the position of director
Heathrow.


                                      ends

January 6, 2005
                                                          001/KG/05


                  BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS

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

Passengers carried (000)

UK/Europe                             1734       1701      +1.9            18334       18392         -0.3
Americas                               580        590      -1.7             5543        5442         +1.9
Asia Pacific                           141        135      +5.0             1252        1081        +15.8
Africa and Middle East                 278        260      +7.1             2286        2058        +11.1

Total                                 2734       2686      +1.8            27416       26974         +1.6

Revenue passenger km (m)

UK/Europe                             1533       1420      +8.0            16452       15785         +4.2
Americas                              3876       3920      -1.1            37059       36333         +2.0
Asia Pacific                          1459       1405      +3.9            12879       11469        +12.3
Africa and Middle East                1879       1734      +8.4            15281       13812        +10.6

Total                                 8747       8478      +3.2            81671       77399         +5.5

Available seat km (m)

UK/Europe                             2459       2320      +6.0            23489       22860         +2.8
Americas                              5154       5075      +1.6            47130       47299         -0.4
Asia Pacific                          1964       1858      +5.7            17502       15854        +10.4
Africa and Middle East                2449       2319      +5.6            20180       18822         +7.2

Total                                12026      11572      +3.9           108301      104835         +3.3

Passenger load factor (%)

UK/Europe                             62.4       61.2      +1.2 pts         70.0        69.1         +0.9 pts
Americas                              75.2       77.2      -2.0 pts         78.6        76.8         +1.8 pts
Asia Pacific                          74.3       75.6      -1.3 pts         73.6        72.3         +1.3 pts
Africa and Middle East                76.7       74.8      +1.9 pts         75.7        73.4         +2.3 pts

Total                                 72.7       73.3      -0.6 pts         75.4        73.8         +1.6 pts

Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)

Cargo tonne km (CTK)                   435        396      +9.7             3738        3310        +12.9
Total RTK                             1318       1252      +5.3            11892       11056         +7.6
Available tonne km (m)                1875       1790      +4.7            16943       16218         +4.5

Overall load factor (%)               70.3       70.0      +0.3 pts         70.2        68.2         +2.0 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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