British Airways PLC
08 November 2004
TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - October 2004
Summary of the headline figures
In October 2004, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was
0.1 per cent above October 2003. Capacity was impacted by some two percentage
points as a result of planned reductions to the schedule announced in September.
Traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres, was higher by 1.8 per cent.
This resulted in a passenger load factor up 1.2 points versus last year, to
74.2 per cent. The increase in traffic comprised an 0.8 per cent increase in
premium traffic and a 2.0 per cent increase in non-premium traffic. Cargo,
measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, rose by 14.2 per cent. Overall load factor
rose by 2.9 points to 71.1 per cent.
Market conditions
Market conditions are broadly unchanged. All market segments remain price
sensitive and yield declines are expected to continue. The total revenue
outlook for the year to March 2005 is unchanged with a 2-3 per cent improvement
driven by volume increases.
Fuel costs net of hedging are now expected to be some £245 million more than
last year (up £20 million from our last estimate). Passenger and cargo fuel
surcharges forecast at £160 million for this year partially offset this
increase.
Strategic Developments
As a result of the continued rise in oil, British Airways increased its fuel
surcharge from £6 to £10 per sector on longhaul flights and from £2.50 to £4 per
sector on shorthaul flights.
British Airways announced that Denise Kingsmill, CBE, was joining the Board as a
Non-Executive Director from 1 November, 2004. She formerly chaired the
Department of Trade and Industry's Accounting for People Task Force and was
Deputy Chairman of the Competition Commission. A lawyer, she is also a
non-executive director of the Home Office and chairs the Advisory Forum for
Laing O'Rourke plc.
The US State Department introduced new passport rules and security measures for
all customers flying into the USA.
The airline took delivery of its first Airbus A321 194 seater aircraft, which
will operate on shorthaul high-density routes from Terminal 4 at London
Heathrow.
A trial has shown that 47% of all British Airways customers checking-in online
at London City Airport print their own boarding passes before leaving for the
airport. The trial is to be extended for a further two months.
Ends
8 November 2004
112/KG/2004
BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS
Month of October Financial year to date
April through October
BRITISH AIRWAYS GROUP Change Change
SCHEDULED SERVICES 2004 2003 (%) 2004 2003 (%)
Passengers carried (000)
UK/Europe 2019 2079 -2.9 14852 14928 -0.5
Americas 571 586 -2.5 4421 4289 +3.1
Asia Pacific 148 138 +7.1 971 809 +20.1
Africa and Middle East 256 239 +7.0 1751 1568 +11.6
Total 2994 3042 -1.6 21995 21593 +1.9
Revenue passenger km (m)
UK/Europe 1808 1778 +1.7 13422 12897 +4.1
Americas 3841 3913 -1.9 29557 28666 +3.1
Asia Pacific 1526 1448 +5.3 9992 8621 +15.9
Africa and Middle East 1729 1608 +7.5 11630 10489 +10.9
Total 8904 8748 +1.8 64601 60673 +6.5
Available seat km (m)
UK/Europe 2644 2576 +2.6 18558 18130 +2.4
Americas 5115 5356 -4.5 37004 37193 -0.5
Asia Pacific 2008 1871 +7.4 13626 12174 +11.9
Africa and Middle East 2230 2185 +2.1 15422 14298 +7.9
Total 11998 11988 +0.1 84610 81794 +3.4
Passenger load factor (%)
UK/Europe 68.4 69.0 -0.6 pts 72.3 71.1 +1.2 pts
Americas 75.1 73.1 +2.0 pts 79.9 77.1 +2.8 pts
Asia Pacific 76.0 77.4 -1.4 pts 73.3 70.8 +2.5 pts
Africa and Middle East 77.5 73.6 +3.9 pts 75.4 73.4 +2.0 pts
Total 74.2 73.0 +1.2 pts 76.4 74.2 +2.2 pts
Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)
Cargo tonne km (CTK) 461 404 +14.2 2877 2497 +15.2
Total RTK 1346 1275 +5.6 9318 8565 +8.8
Available tonne km (m) 1892 1871 +1.1 13245 12616 +5.0
Overall load factor (%) 71.1 68.2 +2.9 pts 70.4 67.9 +2.5 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.
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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