February traffic and capacity

RNS Number : 3134O

British Airways PLC

04 March 2009

 



TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - February 2009

Summary of the headline figures

In February 2009, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was 9.0 per cent below Feburary 2008. Traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres, fell by 8.3 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load factor increase of 0.5 points versus last year, to 72.0 per cent.  Traffic comprised a 20.2 per cent decrease in premium traffic and a 5.5 per cent fall in non-premium traffic.  

The results are impacted by February this year having one less trading day, worth 3.5 per cent, and a significant number of cancellations in the first week of the month due to heavy snowfall in the southeast of England. A reduced flying programme was necessary due to airport closures, runway restrictions and enforced diversions.  

Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, fell by 20.7 per cent.  

Market conditions

Market conditions remain challenging but broadly in line with previous expectations.

Strategic Developments

BA launched a range of measures aimed at making it easier to earn and use BA Miles. The move is part of a programme to enhance the benefits for all four million members of the BA Executive Club. The improvements include the ability to secure tickets on busy flights with double miles for Gold Card members, tier points on every BA and oneworld flight, Silver Card holders to maintain their status more easily and Blue Card holders making it to Silver by taking 50 flights. 

The airline launched its premium leisure sale offering long and short haul fare reductions on February 26. Longhaul destinations include New York from only £1,099, Bermuda, Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. Closer to home, Club Europe (shorthaul business class) return flights start from £159 to Turin, £169 to Amsterdam and £199 to Paris. The sale, which runs until March 24, 2009, is for travel between April 1 and December 13, 2009.

Olympians Sir Chris Hoy and Denise Lewis launched British Airways' bid to find the next generation of Great Britons. The announcement is part of the airline's commitment to the London 2012 Games. The BA Great Britons programme is a £500,000 fund offering up to 180 free flights a year until 2012 to enable budding talent to realise their dreams. 

BA will host its annual Investor Day tomorrow, March 5. This event will be available as a webcast on www.bashares.com.

ends

March 4, 2009 027/TC/09

Reminder - New format and restatement of traffic statistics

With effect from October 2008, British Airways' traffic statistics now include data related to customers who have flown on 'frequent flyer' mileage redemption tickets. This change brings the Group into line with industry standards, and also into line with all major scheduled carriers. The historic data has also been restated on this basis, to create a like-for-like comparison. 

BRITISH AIRWAYS SCHEDULED SERVICES
					Financial year to date
	Month of February				April to February
			Change				Change
	2009	2008	(%)		2009	2008	(%)
Passengers carried (000)
UK/Europe	1,280	1,455	-12.0		18,543	19,393	-4.4
Americas	478	516	-7.3		7,013	7,216	-2.8
Asia Pacific	113	140	-19.3		1,662	1,759	-5.5
Africa and Middle East	297	302	-1.4		3,270	3,364	-2.8
Total	2,169	2,413	-10.1		30,488	31,732	-3.9
Revenue passenger km (m)
UK/Europe	1,262	1,394	-9.4		19,134	19,174	-0.2
Americas	3,244	3,497	-7.2		47,332	48,608	-2.6
Asia Pacific	1,183	1,457	-18.8		17,083	18,055	-5.4
Africa and Middle East	2,019	2,062	-2.1		21,612	22,641	-4.5
Total	7,708	8,410	-8.3		105,161	108,478	-3.1
Available seat km (m)
UK/Europe	2,102	2,196	-4.3		27,602	26,684	+3.4
Americas	4,593	5,122	-10.3		59,831	60,559	-1.2
Asia Pacific	1,513	1,807	-16.3		20,642	21,342	-3.3
Africa and Middle East	2,505	2,641	-5.2		27,792	28,436	-2.3
Total	10,713	11,766	-9.0		135,867	137,021	-0.8
Passenger load factor (%)
UK/Europe	60.1	63.5	-3.4	pts	69.3	71.9	-2.6	pts
Americas	70.6	68.3	+2.3	pts	79.1	80.3	-1.2	pts
Asia Pacific	78.2	80.6	-2.4	pts	82.8	84.6	-1.8	pts
Africa and Middle East	80.6	78.0	+2.6	pts	77.8	79.6	-1.8	pts
Total	72.0	71.5	+0.5	pts	77.4	79.2	-1.8	pts
Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)
Cargo tonne km (CTK)	319	402	-20.7		4,247	4,458	-4.7
Total RTK	1,091	1,240	-12.0		14,760	15,377	-4.0
Available tonne km (m)	1,601	1,779	-10.0		20,379	20,958	-2.8
Overall load factor (%)	68.1	69.7	-1.6	pts	72.4	73.4	-1.0	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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