Traffic And Capacity Statisti

RNS Number : 8295J

British Airways PLC

07 April 2010

 

           

 

 

TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - March 2010

Summary of the headline figures

In March 2010 traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres, fell by 11.4 per cent on March 2009.  Passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was down 13.7 per cent.  This resulted in a passenger load factor increase of 2.0 points versus last year, to 74.7 per cent.  Traffic comprised a 7.2 per cent decrease in premium traffic and a 12.2 per cent decrease in non-premium traffic. 

Both traffic and capacity were affected by the strike action by cabin crew represented by the Unite union.  Planned winter capacity reductions account for half of the decline in capacity for the month, with half due to the strikes.  As outlined previously, over the first strike weekend the airline operated 78 per cent of its longhaul programme and 50 per cent of shorthaul; for the second strike weekend these figures rose to 83 per cent and 67 per cent respectively.   For the seven days of strikes the airline operated 79 per cent of longhaul flights and 58 per cent of shorthaul. 

Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, rose by 6.4 per cent; volumes were helped by the additional capacity available during the strike periods.

The total impact of the strike action in the month is estimated to be £40-£45 million.

Market conditions

Excluding the impact of the cabin crew strikes the underlying traffic volume confirms the trends described previously, with a modest year-on-year improvement in premium traffic and non-premium traffic levels stable. 

Strategic Developments

The European Commission (EC) has started formal market testing to seek the views of interested parties about British Airways' transatlantic joint business with American Airlines and Iberia. The three airlines have offered to lease four daily slot pairs to enable the EC to conclude its investigations into their joint business and have welcomed the EC's announcement that it will be working closely with the US Department of Transportation on this issue.

British Airways has concluded consultations with its joint trade unions (BALPA, GMB and Unite) on the future benefits of its defined benefit pension schemes. The new benefit structure, which the trade unions will be recommending to their members, will be proposed to the pension trustees and form part of the negotiations towards a recovery plan that is expected to be presented to the Pensions Regulator by June 30, 2010.

The airline has signed a five-year contract with Boeing for the latest version of its real time aircraft health and performance monitoring service. The technology allows British Airways to monitor performance data transmitted from aircraft in-flight and will be used to proactively maintain and manage its fleet of Boeing longhaul aircraft.

 

April 7, 2010

BRITISH AIRWAYS SCHEDULED SERVICES
					Financial year to date
	Month of March				April to March
			Change				Change
	2010	2009	(%)		2010	2009	(%)
Passengers carried (000)
UK/Europe	1,278	1,570	-18.6		19,148	20,113	-4.8
Americas	558	580	-3.7		7,536	7,593	-0.7
Asia Pacific	106	142	-25.3		1,531	1,804	-15.1
Africa and Middle East	286	319	-10.3		3,602	3,589	+0.4
Total	2,228	2,610	-14.6		31,817	33,097	-3.9
Revenue passenger km (m)
UK/Europe	1,278	1,577	-19.0		19,804	20,711	-4.4
Americas	3,849	3,962	-2.9		51,430	51,294	+0.3
Asia Pacific	1,080	1,472	-26.6		15,947	18,555	-14.1
Africa and Middle East	1,893	2,129	-11.1		23,653	23,742	-0.4
Total	8,099	9,141	-11.4		110,834	114,301	-3.0
Available seat km (m)
UK/Europe	1,957	2,461	-20.5		27,523	30,063	-8.4
Americas	4,945	5,523	-10.5		63,096	65,353	-3.5
Asia Pacific	1,283	1,778	-27.9		18,865	22,421	-15.9
Africa and Middle East	2,665	2,814	-5.3		31,594	30,606	+3.2
Total	10,850	12,576	-13.7		141,079	148,443	-5.0
Passenger load factor (%)
UK/Europe	65.3	64.1	+1.2	pts	72.0	68.9	+3.1	pts
Americas	77.8	71.7	+6.1	pts	81.5	78.5	+3.0	pts
Asia Pacific	84.2	82.8	+1.4	pts	84.5	82.8	+1.7	pts
Africa and Middle East	71.0	75.7	-4.7	pts	74.9	77.6	-2.7	pts
Total	74.7	72.7	+2.0	pts	78.6	77.0	+1.6	pts
Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)
Cargo tonne km (CTK)	415	390	+6.4		4,536	4,638	-2.2
Total RTK	1,221	1,304	-6.4		15,608	16,063	-2.8
Available tonne km (m)	1,736	1,894	-8.3		21,250	22,277	-4.6
Overall load factor (%)	70.3	68.8	+1.5	pts	73.5	72.1	+1.4	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 March 31, 2009, which is available on www.bashareholders.com.

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

 

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