Traffic and capacity - March
British Airways PLC
05 April 2004
TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - March 2004
Summary of the headline figures
Comparisons of March 2004 traffic and capacity statistics with March 2003 must
take into account the weak base due to the impact of the war with Iraq and SARS.
In March 2004, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was
5.8 per cent above March 2003 and traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger
Kilometres, was higher by 12.7 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load
factor up 4.5 points versus last year, to 74.0 per cent. The increase in
traffic comprised a 23.6 per cent increase in premium traffic and a 10.9 per
cent increase in non-premium traffic. Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne
Kilometres, rose by 21.8 per cent. Overall load factor rose 4.6 points to 70.3
per cent.
For the January - March quarter, ASKs increased by 6.4 per cent, with RPKs
rising by 7.8 per cent. This resulted in an increase in passenger load factor of
0.9 points, to 70.7 points. This comprised a 11.4 per cent increase in premium
traffic and 7.2 per cent increase in non-premium traffic. CTKs rose by 21.3 per
cent.
Market conditions
Market conditions are unchanged. Longhaul premium volumes continue above last
year's levels, and shorthaul premium remains weak. Non-premium traffic volumes
remain very sensitive to yield.
In 2003, March and April were the months worst affected by the war in Iraq and
SARS. Premium traffic was down about 25% in both months. The major effect of
war and SARS did not continue beyond the summer.
Costs
As a result of Yen depreciation against sterling, there will be a non-cash
accounting credit of £2 million in the fourth quarter financial results.
Strategic Developments
British Airways launched the second and final phase of its Heathrow flight
switch programme. From March 28, seven shorthaul services transferred from
Heathrow Terminal 1 to Terminal 4: Brussels, Copenhagen, Geneva, Lyon, Oslo,
Vienna and Zurich. Moving the other way, from Heathrow Terminal 4 to Terminal
1, were Athens, Hong Kong, Moscow (Domodedovo), Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The switching of carefully selected flights at Heathrow make it more convenient
for many of the airline's transfer passengers to connect between longhaul and
shorthaul flights without changing terminals at the airport. To support the
additional longhaul services at Terminal 1, British Airways has invested in a
range of new facilities for its customers, including a new dedicated check-in
zone for premium passengers and new arrivals and departure lounges.
British Airways' customers are now able to manage their own travel plans at
every stage of their journey from the comfort of their own computer. The latest
part of the new system to be launched on ba.com enables customers to request
their own seats and special meals after they have booked a flight via their very
own unique webpage.
ends
April 5, 2004 KG/028/04
BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS
Month of March Financial year
April through March
BRITISH AIRWAYS GROUP Change Change
SCHEDULED SERVICES 2004 2003 (%) 2004 2003 (%)
Passengers carried (000)
UK/Europe 1933 1900 +1.8 24331 24550 -0.9
Americas 621 548 +13.2 7096 6672 +6.4
Asia Pacific 138 120 +15.0 1482 1552 -4.5
Africa and Middle East 256 199 +28.1 2835 2568 +10.4
Total 2948 2768 +6.5 35744 35341 +1.1
Revenue passenger km (m)
UK/Europe 1686 1492 +13.0 21156 19762 +7.1
Americas 4080 3731 +9.4 46777 45048 +3.8
Asia Pacific 1435 1251 +14.8 15642 15895 -1.6
Africa and Middle East 1720 1444 +19.1 19013 17471 +8.8
Total 8921 7918 +12.7 102588 98177 +4.5
Available seat km (m)
UK/Europe 2593 2401 +8.0 31618 29509 +7.1
Americas 5235 5156 +1.5 61932 61528 +0.7
Asia Pacific 1881 1739 +8.2 21372 20659 +3.5
Africa and Middle East 2343 2100 +11.6 25715 24603 +4.5
Total 12052 11396 +5.8 140637 136299 +3.2
Passenger load factor (%)
UK/Europe 65.0 62.2 +2.8 pts 66.9 67.0 -0.1 pts
Americas 77.9 72.4 +5.5 pts 75.5 73.2 +2.3 pts
Asia Pacific 76.3 71.9 +4.4 pts 73.2 76.9 -3.7 pts
Africa and Middle East 73.4 68.8 +4.6 pts 73.9 71.0 +2.9 pts
Total 74.0 69.5 +4.5 pts 72.9 72.0 +0.9 pts
Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)
Cargo tonne km (CTK) 436 358 +21.8 4464 4204 +6.2
Total RTK 1322 1148 +15.1 14722 14035 +4.9
Available tonne km (m) 1880 1748 +7.5 21783 21012 +3.7
Overall load factor (%) 70.3 65.7 +4.6 pts 67.6 66.8 +0.8 pts
* Comparative numbers from 1 July 2002 have been adjusted to remove the impact
of dba following its disposal on 30 June 2003
Certain information included in this statement 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 'Future Size and Shape' programme, 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 2003.
Investor Relations
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