Air Canada reports record load factor for the month of April
Traffic at Canada's largest airline grows year-over-year
MONTREAL, May 6 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada today reported a record load
factor and increased passenger traffic for April, with the mainline carrier
flying 83.5 per cent full during the month.
The mainline carrier flew 1.0 per cent more revenue passenger miles
(RPMs) in April 2008 than in April 2007, according to preliminary traffic
figures. Capacity increased by 0.6 per cent, resulting in a record load factor
of 83.5 per cent for the month compared to 83.2 per cent in April 2007; an
increase of 0.3 percentage points.
Jazz, from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity, also flew with
fuller planes during the month. Its load factor was 74.9 per cent, compared to
74.0 per cent in April 2007; an increase of 0.9 percentage points. During
April, Jazz flew 1.1 per cent fewer RPMs than in April 2007 and capacity
decreased by 2.3 per cent.
On a consolidated basis, Air Canada and Jazz together reported a record
load factor of 82.7 per cent for April versus 82.3 per cent a year earlier.
For the month, system traffic on a consolidated basis rose 0.8 per cent on a
capacity increase of 0.4 per cent.
"Air Canada carried more traffic and achieved a record load factor in
April even though the month did not include the normal traffic boost from the
Easter holiday this year. These results show we continued to attract new
customers while managing our capacity well," said Montie Brewer, President and
Chief Executive Officer. "Clearly travellers are finding more reasons to fly
with Air Canada. These include our growing selection of unique customer
products, with the most recent new offering being the On My Way travel
assistance program, and a fleet that includes some of the most modern,
comfortable and fuel efficient aircraft available today. I thank our employees
for their continued focus on taking care of our customers and meeting our
operational targets for the month."
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)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
APRIL YEAR-TO-DATE
-----------------------------------------------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic
(RPMs
millions) 3,650 3,613 +1.0% 14,936 14,450 +3.4%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity
(ASMs millions) 4,371 4,343 +0.6% 18,367 17,750 +3.5%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 83.5% 83.2% +0.3 pts 81.3% 81.4% -0.1 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 1,028 1,010 +1.8% 3,936 3,821 +3.0%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Canada ASMs 1,206 1,194 +1.0% 4,769 4,610 +3.4%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 85.2% 84.6% +0.6 pts 82.5% 82.9% -0.4 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 598 637 -6.1% 2,747 2,793 -1.6%
U.S. ---------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 741 795 -6.8% 3,464 3,571 -3.0%
border ---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 80.7% 80.1% +0.6 pts 79.3% 78.2% +1.1 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 951 943 +0.8% 3,453 3,374 +2.3%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic ASMs 1,095 1,081 +1.3% 4,264 4,054 +5.2%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 86.8% 87.2% -0.4 pts 81.0% 83.2% -2.2 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 657 673 -2.4% 2,592 2,593 0.0%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ASMs 790 812 -2.7% 3,139 3,117 +0.7%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 83.2% 82.9% +0.3 pts 82.6% 83.2% -0.6 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 416 350 +18.9% 2,208 1,869 18.1%
Latin ---------------------------------------------------------------
America ASMs 539 461 +16.9% 2,731 2,398 +13.9%
& Other ---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 77.2% 75.9% +1.3 pts 80.8% 77.9% +2.9 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIR CANADA'S REGIONAL CAPACITY PROVIDER
(JAZZ)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
APRIL YEAR-TO-DATE
---------------------------------------------------------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic
(RPMs millions) 346 350 -1.1% 1,391 1,327 +4.8%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity
(ASMs millions) 462 473 -2.3% 1,873 1,801 +4.0%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 74.9 74.0% +0.9 pts 74.3 73.7% +0.6 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 255 261 -2.3% 1,051 981 +7.1%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Canada ASMs 329 342 -3.8% 1,364 1,286 +6.1%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 77.5% 76.3% +1.2 pts 77.1% 76.3% +0.8 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 91 89 +2.2% 340 346 -1.7%
U.S. ---------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 133 131 +1.5% 509 515 -1.2%
border ---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 68.4% 67.9% +0.5 pts 66.8% 67.2% -0.4 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMBINED
(AIR CANADA MAINLINE AND JAZZ)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
APRIL YEAR-TO-DATE
---------------------------------------------------------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic
(RPMs millions) 3,996 3,963 +0.8% 16,327 15,777 +3.5%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity
(ASMs millions) 4,833 4,816 +0.4% 20,240 19,551 +3.5%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 82.7% 82.3% +0.4 pts 80.7% 80.7% 0.0 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 1,283 1,271 +0.9% 4,987 4,802 +3.9%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Canada ASMs 1,535 1,536 -0.1% 6,133 5,896 +4.0%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 83.6% 82.7% +0.9 pts 81.3% 81.4% -0.1 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 689 726 -5.1% 3,087 3,139 -1.7%
U.S. ---------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 874 926 -5.6% 3,973 4,086 -2.8%
border ---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 78.8% 78.4% +0.4 pts 77.7% 76.8% +0.9 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 2,024 1,966 +3.0% 8,253 7,836 +5.3%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Inter- ASMs 2,424 2,354 +3.0% 10,134 9,569 +5.9%
national ---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 83.5% 83.5% 0.0 pts 81.4% 81.9% -0.5 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------%SEDAR: 00001324EF
For further information:
For further information: Isabelle Arthur (Montréal), (514) 422-5788; Peter Fitzpatrick (Toronto), (416) 263-5576; Angela Mah (Vancouver), (604) 270-5741; Internet:aircanada.com