Irish low-cost airline operator Aer Lingus Group plc (AERL.L) Friday reported traffic statistics for the month of May 2009, reporting a decline in overall load factor despite growth in total passenger numbers.
Aer Lingus' overall load factor for the month of May decreased 2.4 points to 73.7% from 76.1% last year. Short-haul load factor was 78.1%, down by 2.2 points from May 2008, while capacity increased 14.9% year-over-year. Long-haul load factor reached 66.2%, a decline of 5 points versus 2008, with capacity decreasing 19.3%.
The company also reported a 2.7% rise in May total passenger numbers to 972 thousand from 946 thousand in May 2008. While short-haul passengers increased 6%, long-haul passengers were lower by 21.1%.
Total Revenue Passenger Kilometres, or RPKs, was 1.47 billion, down from 1.53 billion in the prior year. Short-haul RPKs rose 11.8% whereas long-haul RPKs fell 25%. The company also posted a 0.6% drop in May 2009 Available Seat Kilometres, or ASKs, to 1.998 billion from 2.01 billion a year ago. Short-haul and long-haul ASKs registered 14.9% growth and a 19.3% decline, respectively.
AERL.L closed at 71.50 pence on June 3.
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