Air Canada reports December traffic; record load factor for December and full year 2007
MONTREAL, Jan. 7 /CNW Telbec/ - For the month of December, system traffic
on a consolidated basis for Air Canada and Jazz rose 2.4 per cent on a
capacity increase of 1.6 per cent system wide. This resulted in a load factor
of 78.8 per cent versus 78.2 per cent in December 2006, a record for the
month. Load factor for the full year was 80.6 per cent on a combined basis, a
record for the fourth consecutive year.
The mainline carrier flew 2.3 per cent more revenue passenger miles
(RPMs) in December 2007 than in December 2006, according to preliminary
traffic figures. Capacity increased by 1.6 per cent, resulting in a load
factor of 79.3 per cent, compared to 78.8 per cent in December 2006; an
increase of 0.5 percentage points.
Jazz, from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity, flew
3.8 per cent more RPMs in December 2007 than in December 2006, according to
preliminary traffic figures. Capacity increased by 2.5 per cent, resulting in
a load factor of 73.3 per cent, compared to 72.4 per cent in December 2006; an
increase of 0.9 percentage points.
"With a load factor of 80.6 per cent, 2007 was the fourth consecutive
record year for Air Canada and Jazz, and once again this December we surpassed
previous years records for the month," said Montie Brewer, President and Chief
Executive Officer. "I am particularly pleased with our ongoing strong
performance in the domestic Canada market. Overall, system wide traffic
continues to outpace the increase in capacity as we grow and renew our fleet
with new Boeing 777 and Embraer aircraft. This is a clear indication that we
are succeeding in earning our customers' loyalty. I am particularly proud of
our employees who worked hard to take care of our customers in the face of
severe winter conditions during this peak travel season."
"Throughout 2007 we made significant progress in implementing our
business plan. In December, we received three additional Embraer for a total
of 57 of 60 on order, and have so far received eight of 18 Boeing 777 aircraft
scheduled for delivery by the end of 2009. The major refurbishment of the
existing fleet is on track for completion this year, airport improvements are
in place to enhance network connectibility, and customer response to Air
Canada's unique à la carte pricing and subscription pass products has been
extremely positive."
NOTE: Beginning in May 2007, Air Canada has adjusted the way it reports
its monthly traffic results. Tier 3 flying is now included in mainline results
along with Jetz. Charter flying is apportioned among the respective market
segments. The December 2006 and year-to-date traffic numbers have been
adjusted to reflect these changes for year-over-year comparisons.
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, war, terrorist acts, labour or pension issues,
changes in laws and regulations, litigation and actions by third parties as
well as the factors identified in Air Canada's public disclosure file
accessible through SEDAR at www.sedar.com. 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)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
DECEMBER Year-To-Date
---------------------------------------------------------------
2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic
(RPMs millions) 3,661 3,580 +2.3% 46,365 45,175 +2.6%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity
(ASMs millions) 4,614 4,543 +1.6% 57,076 55,799 +2.3%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 79.3% 78.8% +0.5 pts 81.2% 81.0% +0.2pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 996 981 +1.5% 13,077 12,616 +3.7%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Canada ASMs 1,230 1,209 +1.7% 16,054 15,706 +2.2%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 81.0% 81.1% -0.1 pts 81.5% 80.3% +1.2 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 649 661 -1.8% 7,561 7,520 +0.5%
U.S. ---------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 873 900 -3.0% 9,652 9,588 +0.7%
border ---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 74.3% 73.4% +0.9 pts 78.3% 78.4% -0.1 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 899 858 +4.8% 12,477 12,103 +3.1%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic ASMs 1,079 1,047 +3.1% 15,013 14,495 +3.6%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 83.3% 81.9% +1.4 pts 83.1% 83.5% -0.4 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 630 631 -0.2% 8,689 8,633 +0.6%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ASMs 806 792 +1.8% 10,543 10,464 +0.8%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 78.2% 79.7% -1.5 pts 82.4% 82.5% -0.1 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 487 449 +8.5% 4,561 4,303 +6.0%
Latin ---------------------------------------------------------------
America ASMs 626 595 +5.2% 5,814 5,546 +4.8%
& Other ---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 77.8% 75.5% +2.3 pts 78.4% 77.6% +0.8 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIR CANADA'S REGIONAL CAPACITY PROVIDER
(JAZZ)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
DECEMBER Year-To-Date
---------------------------------------------------------------
2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic
(RPMs millions) 332 320 +3.8% 4,264 3,818 +11.7%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity
(ASMs millions) 453 442 +2.5% 5,738 5,284 +8.6%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 73.3 72.4% +0.9 pts 74.3% 72.3% +2.0 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 253 239 +5.9% 3,207 2,850 +12.5%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Canada ASMs 335 319 +5.0% 4,183 3,832 +9.2%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 75.5% 74.9% +0.6 pts 76.7% 74.4% +2.3 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 79 81 -2.5% 1,057 968 +9.2%
U.S. ---------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 118 123 -4.1% 1,555 1,452 +7.1%
border ---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 66.9% 65.9% +1.0 pts 68.0% 66.7% +1.3 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMBINED
(AIR CANADA MAINLINE AND JAZZ)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
DECEMBER YEAR-TO-DATE
---------------------------------------------------------------
2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic
(RPMs millions) 3,993 3,900 +2.4% 50,629 48,993 +3.3%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity
(ASMs millions) 5,067 4,985 +1.6% 62,814 61,083 +2.8%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 78.8% 78.2% +0.6 pts 80.6% 80.2% +0.4 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 1,249 1,220 +2.4% 16,284 15,466 +5.3%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Canada ASMs 1,565 1,528 +2.4% 20,237 19,538 +3.6%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 79.8% 79.8% 0.0 pts 80.5% 79.2% +1.3 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. RPMs 728 742 -1.9% 8,618 8,488 +1.5%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 991 1,023 -3.1% 11,207 11,040 +1.5%
border ---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 73.5% 72.5% +1.0 pts 76.9% 76.9% 0.0 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 2,016 1,938 +4.0% 25,727 25,039 +2.7%
Inter- ---------------------------------------------------------------
national ASMs 2,511 2,434 +3.2% 31,370 30,505 +2.8%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 80.3% 79.6% +0.7 pts 82.0% 82.1% -0.1 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