Air Canada reports February traffic
MONTREAL, March 5 /CNW Telbec/ - For the month of February, system
traffic on a consolidated basis for Air Canada and Jazz rose 5.8 per cent on a
capacity increase of 6.3 per cent system wide. This resulted in a load factor
of 79.2 per cent versus 79.6 per cent in February 2007.
The mainline carrier flew 5.6 per cent more revenue passenger miles
(RPMs) in February 2008 than in February 2007, according to preliminary
traffic figures. Capacity increased by 6.2 per cent, resulting in a load
factor of 79.5 per cent, compared to 80.0 per cent in February 2007; a
decrease of 0.5 percentage points.
Jazz, from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity, flew
8.0 per cent more RPMs in February 2008 than in February 2007, according to
preliminary traffic figures. Capacity increased by 7.0 per cent, resulting in
a load factor of 76.4 per cent, compared to 75.7 per cent in February 2007; an
increase of 0.7 percentage points.
"In February, Air Canada and Jazz together reported continued growth in
traffic with an increase of 5.8 per cent, led by growth in the domestic Canada
and international markets. This resulted in a load factor of 79.2 per cent on
a combined basis," said Montie Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer.
"These solid results underscore our sustained annual growth in traffic of over
five per cent for the past three consecutive years. With the recent deliveries
of our eleventh Boeing 777 and 60th and last Embraer aircraft, we continue to
grow our fleet with new fuel efficient aircraft featuring our new in-flight
product that is generating positive customer response. I am very proud of our
employees who worked hard to take care of customers during this season's
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)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEBRUARY YEAR-TO-DATE
---------------------------------------------------------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
---------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic
(RPMs
millions) 3,469 3,286 +5.6% 7,195 6,888 +4.5%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity
(ASMs
millions) 4,364 4,109 +6.2% 9,098 8,691 +4.7%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 79.5% 80.0% -0.5 pts 79.1% 79.3% -0.2 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 923 875 +5.5% 1,884 1,799 +4.7%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Canada ASMs 1,118 1,046 +6.9% 2,328 2,218 +5.0%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 82.6% 83.7% -1.1 pts 80.9% 81.1% -0.2 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S.
Trans-
border RPMs 675 670 +0.7% 1,379 1,379 0.0%
---------------------------------------------------------------
ASMs 838 860 -2.6% 1,780 1,824 -2.4%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 80.5% 77.9% +2.6 pts 77.5% 75.6% +1.9 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 720 695 +3.6% 1,531 1,494 +2.5%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic ASMs 991 894 +10.9% 2,050 1,892 +8.4%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 72.7% 77.7% -5.0 pts 74.7% 79.0% -4.3 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 584 574 +1.7% 1,230 1,224 +0.5%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ASMs 734 705 +4.1% 1,510 1,499 +0.7%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 79.6% 81.4% -1.8 pts 81.5% 81.7% -0.2 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Latin
America
& Other RPMs 567 472 +20.1% 1,171 992 +18.0%
---------------------------------------------------------------
ASMs 683 604 +13.1% 1,430 1,258 +13.7%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 83.0% 78.1% +4.9 pts 81.9% 78.9% +3.0 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIR CANADA'S REGIONAL CAPACITY PROVIDER
(JAZZ)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEBRUARY YEAR-TO-DATE
---------------------------------------------------------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
---------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic
(RPMs
millions) 339 314 +8.0% 673 623 +8.0%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity
(ASMs
millions) 444 415 +7.0% 925 861 +7.4%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 76.4 75.7% +0.7 pts 72.8 72.4% +0.4 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 261 234 +11.5% 515 464 +11.0%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Canada ASMs 328 296 +10.8% 678 614 +10.4%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 79.6% 79.1% +0.5 pts 76.0% 75.6% +0.4 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S.
Trans-
border RPMs 78 80 -2.5% 158 159 -0.6%
---------------------------------------------------------------
ASMs 116 119 -2.5% 247 247 0.0%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 67.2% 67.2% 0.0 pts 64.0% 64.4% -0.4 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMBINED
(AIR CANADA MAINLINE AND JAZZ)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEBRUARY YEAR-TO-DATE
---------------------------------------------------------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
---------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic
(RPMs
millions) 3,808 3,600 +5.8% 7,868 7,511 +4.8%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity
(ASMs
millions) 4,808 4,524 +6.3% 10,023 9,552 +4.9%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 79.2% 79.6% -0.4 pts 78.5% 78.6% -0.1 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 1,184 1,109 +6.8% 2,399 2,263 +6.0%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Canada ASMs 1,446 1,342 +7.7% 3,006 2,832 +6.1%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 81.9% 82.6% -0.7 pts 79.8% 79.9% -0.1 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S.
Trans-
border RPMs 753 750 +0.4% 1,537 1,538 -0.1%
---------------------------------------------------------------
ASMs 954 979 -2.6% 2,027 2,071 -2.1%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 78.9% 76.6% +2.3 pts 75.8% 74.3% +1.5 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inter-
national RPMs 1,871 1,741 +7.5% 3,932 3,710 +6.0%
---------------------------------------------------------------
ASMs 2,408 2,203 +9.3% 4,990 4,649 +7.3%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 77.7% 79.0% -1.3 pts 78.8% 79.8% -1.0 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; aircanada.com