Air Canada reports August traffic
MONTREAL, Sept. 6 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada reported a consolidated load factor of 83.8 per cent in August 2007, the second highest ever recorded by the carrier. The mainline carrier flew 3.9 per cent more revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in August 2007 than in August 2006, according to preliminary traffic figures. Capacity increased by 3.9 per cent, resulting in a load factor of 84.4 per cent, even with August 2006. Jazz, from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity, flew 7.0 per cent more RPMs in August 2007 than in August 2006, according to preliminary traffic figures. Capacity increased by 4.1 per cent, resulting in a load factor of 77.3 per cent, compared to 75.2 per cent in August 2006; an increase of 2.1 percentage points. Year over year, system traffic on a consolidated basis for Air Canada and Jazz rose 4.1 per cent on a capacity increase of 3.9 per cent. This resulted in a load factor of 83.8 per cent versus 83.7 per cent in August 2006. "For Air Canada and Jazz, the combined passenger load factor in August was the second highest ever recorded. The solid results were driven largely by our performance in the domestic market, where our traffic grew 7.2 per cent over last year and we benefited from the positive trends seen in the Canadian industry as a whole. Overall, our traffic rose by 4.1 per cent over last year, which, coupled with prudent capacity management, particularly in the U.S. transborder market, enabled us to achieve our overall load factor," said Montie Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer. "In August, we met our targets for On Time Performance and Customer Satisfaction, which is a tribute to our employees' hard work and dedication to providing good customer service. Travellers are increasingly recognizing the service, convenience and amenities that Air Canada offers and that is why more and more people choose Air Canada when they fly." 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 August 2006 and year-to-date traffic numbers have been adjusted to reflect these changes for year-over-year comparisons. This discussion contains certain forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties. As a result of many factors including acts or potential acts of terrorism, international conflicts, government regulations and government mandated restrictions on operations and pricing, fuel prices, industry restructuring, labour negotiations, the economic environment in general including foreign exchange and interest rates, the airline competitive and pricing environment, industry capacity decisions and new entrants as well as external events, actual results could differ from expected results and the differences could be material.------------------------------------------------------------------------- AIR CANADA MAINLINE (Includes Jetz & Tier 3) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- AUGUST Year-To-Date ------------------------------------------------------ 2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Traffic (RPMs millions) 4,844 4,663 +3.9% 31,819 30,993 +2.7% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capacity (ASMs millions) 5,739 5,522 +3.9% 38,547 37,788 +2.0% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 84.4% 84.4% 0.0 pts 82.5% 82.0% +0.5 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 1,475 1,380 +6.9% 8,971 8,585 +4.5% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Canada ASMs 1,746 1,633 +6.9% 10,894 10,700 +1.8% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 84.5% 84.5% 0.0 pts 82.3% 80.2% +2.1pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 650 692 -6.1% 5,215 5,205 +0.2% U.S. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Trans- ASMs 782 847 -7.7% 6,536 6,507 +0.4% border ---------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 83.1% 81.7% +1.4 pts 79.8% 80.0% -0.2 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 1,416 1,346 +5.2% 8,548 8,322 +2.7% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Atlantic ASMs 1,675 1,587 +5.5% 10,090 9,792 +3.0% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 84.5% 84.8% -0.3 pts 84.7% 85.0% -0.3 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 963 917 +5.0% 5,930 5,835 +1.6% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Pacific ASMs 1,126 1,070 +5.2% 7,045 6,957 +1.3% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 85.5% 85.7% -0.2 pts 84.2% 83.9% +0.3 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 340 328 +3.7% 3,155 3,046 +3.6% Latin ---------------------------------------------------------------- America ASMs 410 385 +6.5% 3,982 3,832 +3.9% & Other ---------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 82.9% 85.2% -2.3 pts 79.2% 79.5% -0.3 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- AIR CANADA'S REGIONAL CAPACITY PROVIDER (JAZZ) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- AUGUST Year-To-Date ------------------------------------------------------ 2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Traffic (RPMs millions) 412 385 +7.0% 2,882 2,501 +15.2% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capacity (ASMs millions) 533 512 +4.1% 3,854 3,456 +11.5% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 77.3% 75.2% +2.1 pts 74.8% 72.4% +2.4 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 315 290 +8.6% 2,161 1,863 +16.0% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Canada ASMs 399 371 +7.5% 2,806 2,512 +11.7% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 78.9% 78.2% +0.7 pts 77.0% 74.2% +2.8 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 97 95 +2.1% 721 638 +13.0% U.S. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Trans- ASMs 134 141 -5.0% 1,048 944 +11.0% border ---------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 72.4% 67.4% +5.0 pts 68.8% 67.6% +1.2 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMBINED (AIR CANADA MAINLINE AND JAZZ) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- AUGUST Year-To-Date ------------------------------------------------------- 2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Traffic (RPMs millions) 5,256 5,048 +4.1% 34,701 33,494 +3.6% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capacity (ASMs millions) 6,272 6,034 +3.9% 42,401 41,244 +2.8% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 83.8% 83.7% +0.1 pts 81.8% 81.2% +0.6 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 1,790 1,670 +7.2% 11,132 10,448 +6.5% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Canada ASMs 2,145 2,004 +7.0% 13,700 13,212 +3.7% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 83.4% 83.3% +0.1 pts 81.3% 79.1% +2.2 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 747 787 -5.1% 5,936 5,843 +1.6% U.S. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Trans- ASMs 916 988 -7.3% 7,584 7,451 +1.8% border ---------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 81.6% 79.7% +1.9 pts 78.3% 78.4% -0.1 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 2,719 2,591 +4.9% 17,633 17,203 +2.5% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Interna- ASMs 3,211 3,042 +5.6% 21,117 20,581 +2.6% tional ---------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 84.7% 85.2% -0.5 pts 83.5% 83.6% -0.1 pts -------------------------------------------------------------------------%SEDAR: 00024384EF
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For further information: Isabelle Arthur (Montréal), (514) 422-5788; Peter Fitzpatrick (Toronto), (416) 263-5576; Angela Mah (Vancouver), (604) 270-5741; aircanada.com