Traffic and Capacity Statisti

RNS Number : 9717V

British Airways PLC

04 June 2008

 



TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - May 2008

Summary of the headline figures

In May 2008, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was 1.3 per cent above May 2007. Traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres, fell by 0.7 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load factor decrease of 1.5 points versus last year, to 71.8 per cent.  Traffic comprised a 0.9 per cent decrease in premium traffic and a 0.6 per cent fall in non-premium traffic. 

Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, rose by 2.7 per cent.  

Market conditions

As reported at full year results, longhaul premium traffic is slightly ahead of last year. Shorthaul premium markets remain weak. Longhaul non-premium traffic also remains weak. 

Strategic Developments

British Airways announced it was to increase its fuel surcharge on all tickets issued from Tuesday June 3. 

British Airways confirmed its plans for the transfer of longhaul services from Terminal 4 into Terminal 5. The first eight longhaul routes to move from Terminal 4 will transfer tomorrow, June 5. The remaining services to operate from Terminal 5 will move in two stages, on Wednesday September 17, 2008 and at the end of October 2008.

BALPA, the British Airline Pilots' Association withdrew their court action against British Airways over the launch the OpenSkies subsidiary. BALPA gave undertakings to the court not to pursue any future ballot for industrial action on the same issue.

Tickets for premium flights between Paris and New York on OpenSkies went on sale on May 22nd on www.flyopenskies.com. The new transatlantic airline from British Airways will take flight on June 19th. Bookings can also be made through travel agents, all British Airways channels including the BA.com website, and via the OpenSkies Concierge Desk - featuring personalised services available to all customers commencing with the purchase of their ticket and throughout their journey. 

Airbus announced it was confirming a British Airways order for two A318 aircraft. They will be used on BA's new London City - New York services which will start in 2009. 

ends

June 4, 2008                                074/MPJ/08

BRITISH AIRWAYS SCHEDULED SERVICES
					Financial year to date
	Month of April				April to May
			Change				Change
	2008	2007	(%)		2008	2007	(%)
Passengers carried (000)
UK/Europe	1782	1783	-0.0		3376	3524	-4.2
Americas	629	645	-2.5		1212	1278	-5.2
Asia Pacific	142	140	+1.3		288	293	-1.6
Africa and Middle East	265	266	-0.3		534	552	-3.2
Total	2817	2833	-0.6		5411	5647	-4.2
Revenue passenger km (m)
UK/Europe	1848	1767	+4.6		3481	3484	-0.1
Americas	4230	4336	-2.5		8160	8600	-5.1
Asia Pacific	1431	1417	+1.0		2919	2981	-2.1
Africa and Middle East	1732	1781	-2.7		3486	3698	-5.7
Total	9240	9302	-0.7		18047	18763	-3.8
Available seat km (m)
UK/Europe	2675	2537	+5.4		5203	4981	+4.4
Americas	5687	5612	+1.3		11123	11038	+0.8
Asia Pacific	2012	2021	-0.5		3957	3984	-0.7
Africa and Middle East	2493	2526	-1.3		4871	5026	-3.1
Total	12866	12696	+1.3		25154	25030	+0.5
Passenger load factor (%)
UK/Europe	69.1	69.7	-0.6	pts	66.9	69.9	-3.0	pts
Americas	74.4	77.3	-2.9	pts	73.4	77.9	-4.5	pts
Asia Pacific	71.1	70.1	+1.0	pts	73.8	74.8	-1.0	pts
Africa and Middle East	69.5	70.5	-1.0	pts	71.6	73.6	-2.0	pts
Total	71.8	73.3	-1.5	pts	71.7	75.0	-3.3	pts
Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)
Cargo tonne km (CTK)	416	405	+2.7		825	793	+4.1
Total RTK	1334	1343	-0.7		2615	2680	-2.4
Available tonne km (m)	1888	1945	-2.9		3705	3837	-3.4
Overall load factor (%)	70.6	69.1	+1.5	pts	70.6	69.8	+0.8	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 2007, which is available on www.bashareholders.com.

Investor Relations,  Waterside (HAA3), PO Box 365, Harmondsworth, UB7 OGB: Tel: [phone]

 

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