Air Canada reports record September load factor
MONTREAL, Oct. 3 /CNW Telbec/ - For the month of September, Air Canada
today reported a load factor of 79.9 per cent on a consolidated basis with
Jazz, a record for the month, versus 78.7 per cent in September 2007, an
increase of 1.2 percentage points. System traffic decreased 5.0 per cent on a
capacity decrease of 6.4 per cent system wide.
Air Canada mainline reported a load factor of 80.9 per cent, a record for
the month, compared to 79.1 per cent in September 2007; an increase of
1.8 percentage points. The mainline carrier flew 4.8 per cent fewer revenue
passenger miles (RPMs) in September 2008 than in September 2007 on a capacity
decrease of 6.9 per cent, according to preliminary traffic figures.
Jazz, from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity, flew 7.3 per
cent fewer RPMs in September 2008 than in September 2007, according to
preliminary traffic figures. Capacity decreased by 1.6 per cent, resulting in
a load factor of 69.2 per cent, compared to 73.5 per cent in September 2007; a
decrease of 4.3 percentage points.
"Air Canada mainline posted a record load factor of 80.9 per cent for the
month of September," said Montie Brewer, President and Chief Executive
Officer. "We're pleased that through on-going prudent capacity management we
are able to maintain our strong performance, even in a softening North
American market. I am particularly proud of our employees who, for the sixth
consecutive month, have exceeded On-Time Performance objectives through some
of the busiest travel periods of the year."
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This disclosure may include forward-looking statements within the meaning
of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are based on
assumptions, are subject to important risks and uncertainties and cannot be
relied upon due to, amongst other things, changing external factors and
general uncertainties of the business. Results indicated in forward-looking
statements may differ materially from actual results due to a number of
factors, including without limitation, energy prices, general industry, market
and economic conditions, currency exchange and interest rates, competition,
war, terrorist acts, epidemic diseases, insurance issues and costs, changes in
demand due to the seasonal nature of the business, the ability to reduce
operating costs, employee and labour relations, pension issues, supply issues,
changes in laws, regulatory developments or proceedings, pending and future
litigation and actions by third parties, as well as the factors (including
assumptions) identified in Air Canada's public disclosure file and accessible
through SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Any forward-looking statements contained in
this disclosure represent Air Canada's expectations as of the date of this
disclosure and are subject to change after such date. Air Canada disclaims any
intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as
required under applicable securities regulations.-------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIR CANADA MAINLINE
(Includes Jetz & Tier 3)
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SEPTEMBER YEAR-TO-DATE
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2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
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Traffic
(RPMs millions) 3,928 4,125 -4.8% 36,506 35,943 +1.6%
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Capacity
(ASMs millions) 4,854 5,212 -6.9% 44,162 43,759 +0.9%
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Load Factor 80.9% 79.1% +1.8 pts 82.7% 82.1% +0.6 pts
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RPMs 1,107 1,153 -4.0% 10,293 10,124 +1.7%
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Canada ASMs 1,417 1,472 -3.7% 12,662 12,365 +2.4%
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Load
Factor 78.1% 78.3% -0.2 pts 81.3% 81.9% -0.6 pts
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RPMs 455 568 -19.9% 5,351 5,782 -7.5%
U.S. ----------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 604 763 -20.8% 6,754 7,299 -7.5%
border ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 75.3% 74.4% +0.9 pts 79.2% 79.2% 0.0 pts
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RPMs 1,268 1,302 -2.6% 9,901 9,850 +0.5%
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Atlantic ASMs 1,417 1,575 -10.0% 11,533 11,665 -1.1%
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Load
Factor 89.5% 82.7% +6.8 pts 85.8% 84.4% +1.4 pts
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RPMs 771 797 -3.3% 6,751 6,727 +0.4%
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Pacific ASMs 982 1,012 -3.0% 8,031 8,057 -0.3%
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Load
Factor 78.5% 78.8% -0.3 pts 84.1% 83.5% +0.6 pts
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RPMs 327 305 +7.2% 4,210 3,460 +21.7%
Latin ----------------------------------------------------------------
America ASMs 434 390 +11.3% 5,182 4,373 +18.5%
& Other ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 75.3% 78.2% -2.9 pts 81.2% 79.1% +2.1 pts
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AIR CANADA'S REGIONAL CAPACITY PROVIDER
(JAZZ)
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SEPTEMBER Year-To-Date
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2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
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Traffic
(RPMs millions) 331 357 -7.3% 3,161 3,240 -2.4%
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Capacity
(ASMs millions) 478 486 -1.6% 4,329 4,341 -0.3%
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Load Factor 69.2% 73.5% -4.3 pts 73.0% 74.6% -1.6 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
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RPMs 235 271 -13.3% 2,312 2,433 -5.0%
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Canada ASMs 314 356 -11.8% 3,027 3,163 -4.3%
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Load
Factor 74.8% 76.1% -1.3 pts 76.4% 76.9% -0.5pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
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RPMs 96 86 +11.6% 849 807 +5.2%
U.S. ----------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 164 130 +26.2% 1,302 1,178 +10.5%
border ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 58.5% 66.2% -7.7 pts 65.2% 68.5% -3.3 pts
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COMBINED
(AIR CANADA MAINLINE AND JAZZ)
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SEPTEMBER Year-To-Date
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2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
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Traffic
(RPMs millions) 4,259 4,482 -5.0% 39,667 39,183 +1.2%
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Capacity
(ASMs millions) 5,332 5,698 -6.4% 48,491 48,100 +0.8%
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Load Factor 79.9% 78.7% +1.2 pts 81.8% 81.5% +0.3 pts
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RPMs 1,342 1,424 -5.8% 12,605 12,557 +0.4%
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Canada ASMs 1,731 1,828 -5.3% 15,689 15,528 +1.0%
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Load
Factor 77.5% 77.9% -0.4 pts 80.3% 80.9% -0.6 pts
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RPMs 551 654 -15.7% 6,200 6,589 -5.9%
U.S. ----------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 768 893 -14.0% 8,056 8,477 -5.0%
border ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 71.7% 73.2% -1.5 pts 77.0% 77.7% -0.7 pts
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RPMs 2,366 2,404 -1.6% 20,862 20,037 +4.1%
Interna- ----------------------------------------------------------------
tional ASMs 2,833 2,977 -4.8% 24,746 24,095 +2.7%
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Load
Factor 83.5% 80.8% +2.7 pts 84.3% 83.2% +1.1 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------%SEDAR: 00001324EF
For further information:
For further information: Isabelle Arthur (Montréal), (514) 422-5788; Angela Mah (Vancouver), (604) 270-5741; Peter Fitzpatrick (Toronto), (416) 263-5576; Internet: aircanada.com