(RTTNews) - British Airways plc (BAY,BAY.L: News ,BAIRY.PK: News ) on Monday reported a 0.8% decline in traffic for September, as capacity fell 3.7%, resulting in an increase in load factor for the month. The airline noted that market conditions in September remained unchanged, with yields under pressure from the year-over-year impact of lower fuel surcharges, exchange movements and mix.

Traffic, measured in revenue passenger kilometers, fell 0.8% to 9.83 billion from 9.91 billion in the same period last year. Traffic comprised a 7.9% decrease in premium traffic and a 0.7% increase in non-premium traffic.

The company noted that Premium traffic comparisons are starting to be against a weaker base, with the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers occurring mid-way through September 2008. The carrier has been particularly hard hit by the economic downturn because of its reliance on transatlantic premium traffic, which has fallen as companies cut costs.

Passenger capacity, measured in available seat kilometers, declined 3.7% to 12.09 billion from 12.55 billion in the prior-year period. The company's passenger load factor rose 2.4 points to 81.3% compared with 78.9% in the corresponding period last year. Load factor measures the proportion of available seats an airline fills with paying passengers. Overall load factor was 75.9%, up by 2.4 points from 73.5% in the year-ago period.

Total passengers carried during the month were 2.92 million, down 1.7% from 2.97 million in the year ago period.

Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, fell by 2.6%.
For the financial year-to-date period from April to September 2009, traffic, measured in revenue passenger kilometers, declined 1.6% to 59.99 billion from 60.97 billion in the same period last year.

Passenger capacity for the year-to-date period, measured in available seat kilometers, declined 3.0% to 74.40 billion from 76.73 billion in the prior-year period. The company's passenger load factor rose 1.1 points to 80.6% compared with 79.5% in the corresponding period last year. Overall load factor was 74.3%, up by 0.4 points from 73.9% in the year-ago period.

Total passengers carried during the year-to-date period was 17.74 million, down 2.6% from the prior-year period.

British Airways also said it launched the first ever long haul flight from London City airport, an exclusive, all-business service to New York on a 32-seater Airbus A318. The airline said that customers on the new service will be able to send emails, texts and use the internet on transatlantic flights via an in-flight mobile communications service.

To receive FREE breaking news email alerts for British Airways Plc and others in your portfolio

 1   2   Next Page