December traffic statistics

British Airways PLC
06 January 2004





TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - December 2003


Summary of the headline figures

In December 2003, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was
2.3 per cent above December 2002 and traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger
Kilometres, was higher by 4.8 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load factor
up 1.7 points versus last year, to 73.3 per cent.  The increase in traffic
comprised a 4.7 per cent increase in premium traffic and a 4.8 per cent increase
in non-premium traffic.    Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, rose by 15
per cent.   Overall load factor rose 3.1 points to 70 per cent.

For the October to December quarter, ASKs rose by 2.9 percent, with RPKs rising
by 5.3 percent.  This resulted in an increase in passenger load factor of 1.7
points, to 72.7 percent.  This comprised a 3.5 per cent increase in premium
traffic and a 5.6 percent increase in non-premium traffic.  CTKs rose by 11 per
cent.


Market conditions

Longhaul premium volumes continue to increase year on year and are driving some
improvement in the revenue outlook.  Shorthaul premium continues to be weak and
below last year's levels. Traffic volumes in non premium remain very sensitive
to yield.


Costs

As a result of yen depreciation against sterling, there will be a non-cash
accounting profit of £27 million in the third quarter financial results.


Strategic Developments

British Airways, Iberia Airlines and BA franchise partner GB Airways were given
exemption from competition legislation by the European Commission. The exemption
allows them to share airport facilities, extend code-sharing services,
coordinate sales and marketing programmes, undertake joint network planning,
coordinate capacity and pricing and cargo services.

The UK government, in its Aviation White Paper, approved new runways at London
Stansted airport by around 2011, and subject to resolving the level of nitrogen
dioxide emissions, at London Heathrow airport between 2015 and 2020.



The airline announced an increase in capacity between Nairobi and London from
seven flights to 10 per week from March 28, 2004.

British Airways' new year sale began on December 30, with more than 500,000
discounted flight tickets to more than 120 worldwide destinations with savings
up to £308.   The sale also includes some bargain British Airways Holidays
breaks to the Caribbean, USA (including Florida), Canada and Dubai with savings
up to £339 per person. The World Offer tickets are on sale until January 27,
2004 and are valid for travel for differing time periods from January1 until
June15.


                                      ends


January 6, 2004
                                                         002/CW/04


                             TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - December 2003...2




                         BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS

                                              Month of December                   Financial year to date
                                                                                  April through December

BRITISH AIRWAYS GROUP                                    Change                                    Change
SCHEDULED SERVICES                    2003       2002       (%)              2003       2002          (%)
Passengers carried (000)
UK/Europe                             1701       1741      -2.3             19119      19272         -0.8
Americas                               590        561      +5.3              5442       5137         +5.9
Asia Pacific                           135        131      +3.2              1081       1190         -9.2
Africa and Middle East                 260        226     +15.2              2058       1901         +8.3
Total                                 2686       2658      +1.1             27700      27501         +0.7

Revenue passenger km (m)
UK/Europe                             1420       1399      +1.5             16640      15595         +6.7
Americas                              3920       3789      +3.5             35859      34605         +3.6
Asia Pacific                          1405       1344      +4.5             11469      12142         -5.5
Africa and Middle East                1734       1560     +11.2             13812      12817         +7.8
Total                                 8478       8092      +4.8             77780      75160         +3.5

Available seat km (m)
UK/Europe                             2320       2239      +3.6             24163      22591         +7.0
Americas                              5075       5104      -0.6             46706      46757         -0.1
Asia Pacific                          1858       1775      +4.7             15854      15628         +1.4
Africa and Middle East                2319       2192      +5.8             18822      18336         +2.7
Total                                11572      11310      +2.3            105544     103312         +2.2

Passenger load factor (%)
UK/Europe                             61.2       62.5      -1.3 pts          68.9       69.0         -0.1 pts
Americas                              77.2       74.2      +3.0 pts          76.8       74.0         +2.8 pts
Asia Pacific                          75.6       75.7      -0.1 pts          72.3       77.7         -5.4 pts
Africa and Middle East                74.8       71.2      +3.6 pts          73.4       69.9         +3.5 pts
Total                                 73.3       71.6      +1.7 pts          73.7       72.8         +0.9 pts

Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)
Cargo tonne km (CTK)                   396        345     +15.0              3310       3217         +2.9
Total RTK                             1252       1163      +7.7             11089      10738         +3.3
Available tonne km (m)                1790       1739      +2.9             16293      15926         +2.3

Overall load factor (%)               70.0       66.9      +3.1 pts          68.1       67.4         +0.7 pts

* Comparative numbers from 1 July 2002 have been adjusted to remove the impact
of dba following its disposal on 30 June 2003


Certain information included in this statement 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 'Future Size and Shape' programme, 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 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.  Information on some
factors which could result in material difference to the results is available in
the Company's SEC filings, including, without limitation the Company's Report on
Form 20-F for the year ended March 2002.

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