Air Canada reports March traffic
MONTREAL, April 3 /CNW Telbec/ - For the month of March, system traffic
on a consolidated basis for Air Canada and Jazz rose 3.7 per cent on a
capacity increase of 3.9 per cent system wide. This resulted in a load factor
of 82.9 per cent versus 83.0 per cent in March 2007.
The mainline carrier flew 3.6 per cent more revenue passenger miles
(RPMs) in March 2008 than in March 2007, according to preliminary traffic
figures. Capacity increased by 3.9 per cent, resulting in a load factor of
83.5 per cent, compared to 83.7 per cent in March 2007; a decrease of
0.2 percentage points.
Jazz, from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity, flew 4.8 per
cent more RPMs in March 2008 than in March 2007, according to preliminary
traffic figures. Capacity increased by 4.1 per cent, resulting in a load
factor of 76.5 per cent, compared to 76.0 per cent in March 2007; an increase
of 0.5 percentage points.
"For the month of March, Air Canada reported continued growth in traffic
with an increase of 3.7 per cent on a combined basis with Jazz," said Montie
Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our sustained growth year over
year was led by the domestic and international markets where we continue to
see strong demand. With the delivery of our twelfth Boeing 777 aircraft, and
another six planned for delivery by April 2009, we continue to renew our fleet
by replacing older aircraft with the most modern, fuel efficient aircraft
available. I am particularly proud of our employees who worked so hard to take
care of customers during another month of challenging winter conditions."
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)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARCH YEAR-TO-DATE
-------------------------------------------------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic
(RPMs
millions) 4,092 3,948 +3.6% 11,286 10,836 +4.2%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity
(ASMs
millions) 4,898 4,716 +3.9% 13,996 13,407 +4.4%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 83.5% 83.7% -0.2 pts 80.6% 80.8% -0.2 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 1,025 1,010 +1.5% 2,908 2,809 +3.5%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Canada ASMs 1,236 1,198 +3.2% 3,564 3,416 +4.3%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 82.9% 84.3% -1.4 pts 81.6% 82.2% -0.6 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 769 777 -1.0% 2,149 2,156 -0.3%
U.S. ---------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 942 952 -1.1% 2,722 2,776 -1.9%
border ---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 81.6% 81.6% 0.0 pts 78.9% 77.7% +1.2 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 971 938 +3.5% 2,502 2,431 +2.9%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic ASMs 1,119 1,081 +3.5% 3,169 2,974 +6.6%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 86.8% 86.8% 0.0 pts 79.0% 81.7% -2.7 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 705 696 +1.3% 1,935 1,920 +0.8%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ASMs 839 806 +4.1% 2,349 2,305 +1.9%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 84.0% 86.4% -2.4 pts 82.4% 83.3% -0.9 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 622 527 +18.0% 1,792 1,520 +17.9%
Latin ---------------------------------------------------------------
America ASMs 762 679 +12.2% 2,192 1,936 +13.2%
& Other ---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 81.6% 77.6% +4.0 pts 81.8% 78.5% +3.3 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIR CANADA'S REGIONAL CAPACITY PROVIDER
(JAZZ)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARCH YEAR-TO-DATE
-------------------------------------------------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic
(RPMs
millions) 372 355 +4.8% 1,045 978 +6.9%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity
(ASMs
millions) 486 467 +4.1% 1,411 1,328 +6.3%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 76.5 76.0% +0.5 pts 74.1 73.6% +0.5 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 280 257 +8.9% 796 721 +10.4%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Canada ASMs 356 330 +7.9% 1,034 944 +9.5%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 78.7% 77.9% +0.8 pts 77.0% 76.4% +0.6 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 92 98 -6.1% 249 257 -3.1%
U.S. ---------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 130 137 -5.1% 377 384 -1.8%
border ---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 70.8% 71.5% -0.7 pts 66.0% 66.9% -0.9 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMBINED
(AIR CANADA MAINLINE AND JAZZ)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARCH YEAR-TO-DATE
-------------------------------------------------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic
(RPMs
millions) 4,464 4,303 +3.7% 12,331 11,814 +4.4%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity
(ASMs
millions) 5,384 5,183 +3.9% 15,407 14,735 +4.6%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 82.9% 83.0% -0.1 pts 80.0% 80.2% -0.2 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 1,305 1,267 +3.0% 3,704 3,530 +4.9%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Canada ASMs 1,592 1,528 +4.2% 4,598 4,360 +5.5%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 82.0% 82.9% -0.9 pts 80.6% 81.0% -0.4 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 861 875 -1.6% 2,398 2,413 -0.6%
U.S. ---------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 1,072 1,089 -1.6% 3,099 3,160 -1.9%
border ---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 80.3% 80.3% 0.0 pts 77.4% 76.4% +1.0 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 2,298 2,161 +6.3% 6,229 5,871 +6.1%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Inter- ASMs 2,720 2,566 +6.0% 7,710 7,215 +6.9%
national ---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 84.5% 84.2% +0.3 pts 80.8% 81.4% -0.6 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