British Airways PLC
04 February 2005
TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - January 2005
Summary of the headline figures
In January 2005, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was
3.2 per cent above January 2004. Traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger
Kilometres, was higher by 8.1 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load
factor up 3.2 points versus last year, to 72.3 per cent. The increase in
traffic comprised an 11.8 per cent increase in premium traffic and a 7.5 per
cent increase in non-premium traffic. Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne
Kilometres, rose by 14.2 per cent. Overall load factor rose by 3.3 points to
68.1 per cent.
Market conditions
Market conditions for the current financial year remain broadly unchanged. For
the year to March 2005, the total revenue outlook is slightly better than
previous guidance with a 3.0-3.5 per cent improvement anticipated (compares with
previous 2-3 per cent). All market segments remain price sensitive and yield
declines are expected to continue.
Strategic Developments
British Airways plans to fly five flights a week this summer from London
Heathrow to Shanghai in China, subject to approval by the Chinese authorities.
The airline currently flies from London Heathrow to Beijing four times a week
increasing to six times per week from June 2005 and 17 times a week to Hong
Kong, increasing to 21 flights a week from June 2005.
British Airways flights between London Heathrow and Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi
Arabia are to be suspended from March 27, 2005 for commercial reasons, due to
reduced passenger demand.
Commission payments to UK travel agents on British Airways' bookings are to be
reduced from one percent to zero from May 1 2005. Agents will be free to charge
their own scale of service fees in addition to the ticket price. Service fees of
£15 on short haul bookings made via the telephone have been extended to longhaul
flights.
The airline's multi-award winning Club World flat bed is to be improved with the
latest cushioning technology to give customers more comfort and further
ergonomic support. This is the first time such cushioning has been used in an
airline seat.
Business travellers can earn the equivalent of a free ticket when they book
their next British Airways business class ticket. The airline is giving away
over 750 million BA Miles in a bumper New Year mileage offer. The offer gives
all passengers, who book an eligible Club World or First flight for travel
between now and March 24 2005, triple BA Miles. Passengers have to join the
British Airways Executive Club to be eligible for the promotion and can gain the
bonus miles on up to four eligible return flights taken within the travel
period.
ends
February 4, 2005 008/KG/05
BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS
Month of January Financial year to date
April through to January
BRITISH AIRWAYS Change Change
SCHEDULED SERVICES 2005 2004 (%) 2005 2004 (%)
Passengers carried (000)
UK/Europe 1599 1564 +2.2 19934 19957 -0.1
Americas 577 542 +6.5 6120 5983 +2.3
Asia Pacific 147 134 +9.7 1399 1215 +15.1
Africa and Middle East 299 273 +9.5 2585 2331 +10.9
Total 2622 2513 +4.3 30038 29487 +1.9
Revenue passenger km (m)
UK/Europe 1407 1307 +7.6 17859 17093 +4.5
Americas 3881 3638 +6.7 40940 39971 +2.4
Asia Pacific 1512 1401 +7.9 14391 12870 +11.8
Africa and Middle East 2025 1821 +11.2 17306 15632 +10.7
Total 8825 8167 +8.1 90496 85565 +5.8
Available seat km (m)
UK/Europe 2545 2405 +5.8 26034 25265 +3.0
Americas 5185 5208 -0.4 52315 52510 -0.4
Asia Pacific 1979 1875 +5.5 19481 17729 +9.9
Africa and Middle East 2497 2339 +6.8 22678 21161 +7.2
Total 12206 11827 +3.2 120508 116665 +3.3
Passenger load factor (%)
UK/Europe 55.3 54.3 +1.0 pts 68.6 67.7 +0.9 pts
Americas 74.8 69.9 +4.9 pts 78.3 76.1 +2.2 pts
Asia Pacific 76.4 74.7 +1.7 pts 73.9 72.6 +1.3 pts
Africa and Middle East 81.1 77.8 +3.3 pts 76.3 73.9 +2.4 pts
Total 72.3 69.1 +3.2 pts 75.1 73.3 +1.8 pts
Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)
Cargo tonne km (CTK) 412 361 +14.2 4148 3650 +13.6
Total RTK 1305 1187 +9.9 13196 12222 +8.0
Available tonne km (m) 1917 1832 +4.6 18865 18057 +4.5
Overall load factor (%) 68.1 64.8 +3.3 pts 69.9 67.7 +2.2 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 programmes, 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 2004.
Investor Relations
Waterside (HCB3)
PO Box 365
Harmondsworth
UB7 OGB
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8738 6947
Fax: +44( 0) 20 8738 9602
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