September traffic and capacit

RNS Number : 0645F

British Airways PLC

03 October 2008

 



TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - September 2008

Summary of the headline figures

In September 2008, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was 0.8 per cent above September 2007. Traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres, fell by 4.8 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load factor decrease of 4.3 points versus last year, to 74.0 per cent.  Traffic comprised an 8.6 per cent decrease in premium traffic and a 4.1 per cent fall in non-premium traffic. 

Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, fell by 3.5 per cent.  

Market conditions

Trading conditions continue to be challenging. Longhaul premium traffic has softened after the summer and forward bookings are being affected by the increased anxiety in financial markets and by the uncertain economic outlook. Revenue forecasts for the year carry some risk, although current good yields and the stronger dollar are broadly offsetting the volume impact. Cost initiatives continue in an effort to offset revenue risk. Fuel costs are still expected to be around £3 billion for the year. The target continues to be for the business to break even at the operating level.

Strategic Developments

British Airways completed the second phase of its transfer of longhaul services from Terminal 4 to Terminal 5, increasing the number of flights per day at the terminal from around 420 to 480. Terminal 5 has now looked after ten million customers on more than 75,000 flights. The terminal is working well with very good punctuality and baggage performance. 

A dedicated check-in area for business class customers in Terminal 5 was introduced. The dedicated area offers the option of check-in kiosks, fast bag drops and customer service desks. The 'Galleries' lounge in the terminal's satellite B building was also opened.  

British Airways is to launch two new routes from London City Airport, to Geneva and Lyon from December 15. This brings the total number of destinations offered from City Airport to 12. In October the airline will increase frequency to Glasgow from four to five flights a day and Frankfurt services from three to four flights daily.

In light of the security situation in Pakistan flights between Heathrow and Islamabad have been suspended indefinitely.  

British Airways won best business airline at the Conde Nast Traveller awards. The airline also won best business class, best shorthaul carrier and best frequent flier programme at the Business Traveller Awards. 

British Airways flew the ParalympicsGB team home on a dedicated Boeing 747 with a specially painted gold nose following their 102 medal haul at the Beijing games. 

British Airways launched a social media platform called Metrotwin.com linking London and New York. BA is the first airline to launch a social media platform of this kind. Metrotwin is an online community that provides expert recommendations by locals for visitors.

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October 3, 2008 130/TC/08

BRITISH AIRWAYS SCHEDULED SERVICES
					Financial year to date
	Month of September				April to September
			Change				Change
	2008	2007	(%)		2008	2007	(%)
Passengers carried (000)
UK/Europe	1766	1877	-5.9		10736	11153	-3.7
Americas	620	636	-2.6		3873	3997	-3.1
Asia Pacific	153	161	-5.3		905	934	-3.1
Africa and Middle East	259	288	-10.1		1641	1748	-6.2
Total	2797	2962	-5.6		17155	17833	-3.8
Revenue passenger km (m)
UK/Europe	1856	1878	-1.2		11244	11155	0.8
Americas	4170	4287	-2.7		26069	26939	-3.2
Asia Pacific	1570	1662	-5.6		9261	9566	-3.2
Africa and Middle East	1696	1932	-12.2		10656	11632	-8.4
Total	9292	9760	-4.8		57230	59292	-3.5
Available seat km (m)
UK/Europe	2631	2497	5.3		15925	15086	5.6
Americas	5601	5584	0.3		34422	33763	2.0
Asia Pacific	1932	1924	0.4		11829	11830	-0.0
Africa and Middle East	2389	2453	-2.6		14549	14972	-2.8
Total	12553	12458	0.8		76726	75651	1.4
Passenger load factor (%)
UK/Europe	70.5	75.2	-4.7	pts	70.6	73.9	-3.3	pts
Americas	74.4	76.8	-2.4	pts	75.7	79.8	-4.1	pts
Asia Pacific	81.3	86.4	-5.1	pts	78.3	80.9	-2.6	pts
Africa and Middle East	71.0	78.8	-7.8	pts	73.2	77.7	-4.5	pts
Total	74.0	78.3	-4.3	pts	74.6	78.4	-3.8	pts
Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)
Cargo tonne km (CTK)	391	405	-3.5		2437	2389	2.0
Total RTK	1317	1388	-5.1		8139	8361	-2.7
Available tonne km (m)	1874	1918	-2.3		11511	11610	-0.9
Overall load factor (%)	70.3	72.3	-2.0	pts	70.7	72.0	-1.3	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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