March traffic statistics

British Airways PLC
05 April 2005



TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - March 2005


Summary of the headline figures


In March 2005, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was
2.2 per cent above March 2004.  Traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger
Kilometres, was higher by 4.5 per cent.  This resulted in a passenger load
factor up 1.7 points versus last year, to 75.7 per cent.  The increase in
traffic comprised a 1.7 per cent increase in premium traffic and a 5.0 per cent
increase in non-premium traffic.  Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres,
rose by 1.4 per cent.   Overall load factor rose by 0.4 points to 70.7 per cent.


For the January to March quarter, ASKs rose by 1.4 per cent, with RPKs rising by
4.7 per cent.  This resulted in an increase in passenger load factor of 2.3
points, to 73.0 per cent.  This comprised a 6.4 per cent increase in premium
traffic and a 4.4 per cent increase in non-premium traffic.  CTKs rose by 2.8
per cent.


Market conditions


Market conditions remain broadly unchanged.  For the year to March 2005, the
total revenue outlook continues to be for a 3.0-3.5 per cent improvement.  All
market segments remain price sensitive and yield declines are expected to
continue.


Costs



As a result of yen depreciation against sterling, there will be a non-cash
accounting credit of £8 million in the fourth quarter financial results.



Strategic Developments



Willie Walsh was announced as British Airways' new chief executive officer.
Previously CEO of Aer Lingus, he begins as chief executive designate on May 3.
Rod Eddington will retire at the end of September at which stage Mr Walsh will
become chief executive.



British Airways announced its 2005 summer timetable.  The airline will operate
an average of 631 daily flights this summer between Britain and the Continent,
well in excess of any other operator.  In addition, it will schedule an average
of 372 daily flights within the UK and across the Irish Sea, covering 60 routes
and an average of 179 intercontinental flights a day, to 93 destinations.



British Airways increased its fuel surcharge on all flights from Monday, March
28 as a result of continuing record oil prices.  The longhaul fuel surcharge
rose from £10 per sector to £16 per sector (£32 return trip) and on shorthaul
from £4 per sector to £6 (£12 a return trip).



At the Aviation and Environment summit in Geneva, British Airways' chief
executive Rod Eddington urged the global aviation industry to work together to
reduce its impact on climate change or face the risk of additional taxation. The
airline is currently trading emissions in a voluntary British government scheme
and supports the inclusion of aviation into the European Union's emissions
trading scheme from 2008.



British Airways' passengers can now check-in for their flights online 24 hours
before departure, enabling them to choose their seat and, on selected routes,
print their own boarding cards.  Previously only members of the British Airways
Executive Club were able to use this facility 24 hours prior to departure.
Online check-in is now available on over 95 per cent of the airline's routes.



                                     BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS


                                                  Month of March                     Financial year
                                                                                 April through to March
BRITISH AIRWAYS                                           Change                                  Change
SCHEDULED SERVICES                    2005       2004        (%)            2005        2004         (%)
Passengers carried (000)
UK/Europe                             1935       1933       +0.1           23491       23604        -0.5
Americas                               615        621       -0.9            7227        7096        +1.8
Asia Pacific                           152        138       +9.8            1683        1482       +13.5
Africa and Middle East                 280        256       +9.5            3122        2835       +10.1
Total                                 2981       2948       +1.1           35523       35017        +1.4

Revenue passenger km (m)
UK/Europe                             1725       1624       +6.2           21010       20139        +4.3
Americas                              4127       4142       -0.4           48368       47414        +2.0
Asia Pacific                          1582       1435      +10.2           17333       15642       +10.8
Africa and Middle East                1890       1720       +9.9           20938       19013       +10.1
Total                                 9324       8921       +4.5          107649      102207        +5.3

Available seat km (m)
UK/Europe                             2616       2525       +3.6           30995       30121        +2.9
Americas                              5255       5303       -0.9           62227       62720        -0.8
Asia Pacific                          1988       1881       +5.7           23261       21372        +8.8
Africa and Middle East                2463       2343       +5.1           27404       25715        +6.6
Total                                12323      12052       +2.2          143888      139928        +2.8

Passenger load factor (%)
UK/Europe                             65.9       64.3       +1.6 pts        67.8        66.9        +0.9 pts
Americas                              78.5       78.1       +0.4 pts        77.7        75.6        +2.1 pts
Asia Pacific                          79.6       76.3       +3.3 pts        74.5        73.2        +1.3 pts
Africa and Middle East                76.7       73.4       +3.3 pts        76.4        73.9        +2.5 pts
Total                                 75.7       74.0       +1.7 pts        74.8        73.0        +1.8 pts

Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)
Cargo tonne km (CTK)                   442        436       +1.4            4951        4464       +10.9
Total RTK                             1369       1322       +3.6           15704       14689        +6.9
Available tonne km (m)                1935       1880       +2.9           22528       21707        +3.8

Overall load factor (%)               70.7       70.3       +0.4 pts        69.7        67.7        +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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