January traffic and capacity

RNS Number : 8978M

British Airways PLC

06 February 2009

 



TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - January 2009

Summary of the headline figures

In January 2009, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was 2.6 per cent below January 2008. Traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres, fell by 1.3 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load factor increase of 1.0 points versus last year, to 73.2 per cent.  Traffic comprised a 13.7 per cent decrease in premium traffic and a 1.4 per cent rise in non-premium traffic. 

Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, fell by 16.7 per cent.  

Market conditions

Trading conditions are fully reflected in the interim management statement published today (February 6, 2009).

Strategic Developments

British Airways strongly supported the Government's approval of a third runway at Heathrow. Heathrow is the national hub airport and Britain cannot succeed in a global economy without the capacity for excellent air links already built by our international competitors. Heathrow will set new world standards for environmental performance with Government imposed additional, tough environmental safeguards on the way the airport will operate and a new system for rigorous enforcement.

The airline announced a radical new environmental target of halving net CO2 emissions by 2050. The target, the most ambitious set by any airline, means that British Airways will reduce its net carbon output from 16 million tonnes in 2005 to eight million by mid-century.

British Airways announced the introduction of text and mobile services for customers on its new all business class route from London City Airport to New York's JFK Airport later this year.

British Airways added more discounted fares to its World Offers sale for travel between January and September 2009 with reductions on a range of longhaul destinations including New York, Cape Town and Grand Cayman and shorthaul destinations including Paris, Venice, Milan, Vienna and Prague.  

Cass Titcombe, the chef and co-founder of London restaurant 'Canteen' joined the British Airways Taste Team. He joins other members of the BA Taste Team including Michel Roux, Liam Tomlin, Shaun Hill and Vineet Bhatia. 

ends

February 6, 2009  

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 January				April to January
			Change				Change
	2009	2008	(%)		2009	2008	(%)
Passengers carried (000)
UK/Europe	1,282	1,373	-6.6		17,263	17,938	-3.8
Americas	570	576	-1.1		6,535	6,700	-2.5
Asia Pacific	137	153	-10.2		1,548	1,618	-4.3
Africa and Middle East	336	320	+5.0		2,973	3,062	-2.9
Total	2,325	2,422	-4.0		28,319	29,318	-3.4
Revenue passenger km (m)
UK/Europe	1,268	1,319	-3.9		17,871	17,780	+0.5
Americas	3,901	3,911	-0.3		44,088	45,111	-2.3
Asia Pacific	1,431	1,583	-9.6		15,900	16,598	-4.2
Africa and Middle East	2,275	2,181	+4.3		19,593	20,579	-4.8
Total	8,875	8,994	-1.3		97,452	100,069	-2.6
Available seat km (m)
UK/Europe	2,324	2,294	+1.3		25,501	24,491	+4.1
Americas	5,214	5,428	-3.9		55,238	55,437	-0.4
Asia Pacific	1,697	1,926	-11.9		19,130	19,535	-2.1
Africa and Middle East	2,894	2,801	+3.3		25,286	25,793	-2.0
Total	12,128	12,449	-2.6		125,154	125,256	-0.1
Passenger load factor (%)
UK/Europe	54.6	57.5	-2.9	pts	70.1	72.6	-2.5	pts
Americas	74.8	72.1	+2.7	pts	79.8	81.4	-1.6	pts
Asia Pacific	84.3	82.2	+2.1	pts	83.1	85.0	-1.9	pts
Africa and Middle East	78.6	77.9	+0.7	pts	77.5	79.8	-2.3	pts
Total	73.2	72.2	+1.0	pts	77.9	79.9	-2.0	pts
Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)
Cargo tonne km (CTK)	325	390	-16.7		3,928	4,056	-3.2
Total RTK	1,228	1,304	-5.8		13,669	14,137	-3.3
Available tonne km (m)	1,814	1,890	-4.0		18,778	19,179	-2.1
Overall load factor (%)	67.7	69.0	-1.3	pts	72.8	73.7	-0.9	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]

 

END

 

 

MSCUUUMCPUPBGRA