Air Canada reports record March traffic
Mainline passenger load factor of 83.8% - highest ever for March
MONTREAL, April 4 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada reported a record load factor
of 83.8 per cent in March 2007, the highest ever for the month.
The mainline carrier flew 5.0 per cent more revenue passenger miles
(RPMs) in March 2007 than in March 2006, according to preliminary traffic
figures. Capacity increased by 2.0 per cent, resulting in a load factor of
83.8 per cent, compared to 81.4 per cent in March 2006; an increase of
2.4 percentage points.
Jazz, from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity, flew 16.8 per
cent more RPMs in March 2007 than in March 2006, according to preliminary
traffic figures. Capacity increased by 12.0 per cent, resulting in a load
factor of 76.0 per cent, compared to 72.9 per cent in March 2006; an increase
of 3.1 percentage points.
Year over year, system traffic on a consolidated basis for Air Canada and
Jazz, rose 5.9 per cent on a capacity increase of 2.9 per cent, resulting in a
load factor of 83.1 per cent; an increase of 2.4 percentage points.
"Air Canada achieved a record load factor of 83.8 per cent in March as we
continued to grow our customer base and the market for our products and
services remained very strong. Clearly, customers are expressing a growing
preference for Air Canada when they travel," said Montie Brewer, President and
Chief Executive of Air Canada. "In March, we took delivery of the first of
eight ultra-modern Boeing 777 aircraft that will be introduced to the fleet
this year, giving people more reason than ever to fly Air Canada. In addition
to our simplified fares, new seatback video systems and Executive First lie
flat seats, a key part of the experience remains the service our employees
provide and their hard work is winning the loyalty of travellers."
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
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AIR CANADA MAINLINE
(Includes Jetz)
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MARCH Year-To-Date
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2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
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Traffic
(RPMs millions) 3,941 3,754 +5.0% 10,816 10,393 +4.1%
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Capacity
(ASMs millions) 4,704 4,610 +2.0% 13,374 13,081 +2.2%
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Load Factor 83.8% 81.4% +2.4 pts 80.9% 79.5% +1.4 pts
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Canada RPMs 1,006 958 +5.0% 2,797 2,661 +5.1%
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ASMs 1,192 1,198 -0.5% 3,399 3,389 +0.3%
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Load
Factor 84.4% 80.0% +4.4 pts 82.3% 78.5% +3.8pts
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U.S.
Trans-
border RPMs 773 763 +1.3% 2,142 2,065 +3.7%
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ASMs 943 933 +1.1% 2,751 2,582 +6.5%
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Load
Factor 82.0% 81.8% +0.2 pts 77.9% 80.0% -2.1 pts
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Atlantic RPMs 938 880 +6.6% 2,431 2,325 +4.6%
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ASMs 1,081 1,057 +2.3% 2,974 2,913 +2.1%
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Load
Factor 86.8% 83.3% +3.5 pts 81.7% 79.8% +1.9 pts
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Pacific RPMs 696 663 +5.0% 1,920 1,861 +3.2%
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ASMs 806 805 +0.1% 2,305 2,285 +0.9%
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Load
Factor 86.4% 82.4% +4.0 pts 83.3% 81.4% +1.9 pts
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Latin
America
& Other RPMs 528 490 +7.8% 1,526 1,481 +3.0%
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ASMs 682 617 +10.5% 1,945 1,912 +1.7%
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Load
Factor 77.4% 79.4% -2.0 pts 78.5% 77.5% +1.0 pts
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AIR CANADA JAZZ
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AIR CANADA'S REGIONAL CAPACITY PROVIDER
(JAZZ)
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MARCH Year-To-Date
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2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
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Traffic
(RPMs millions) 355 304 +16.8% 978 828 +18.1%
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Capacity
(ASMs millions) 467 417 +12.0% 1,328 1,174 +13.1%
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Load Factor 76.0% 72.9% +3.1 pts 73.6% 70.5% +3.1 pts
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Canada RPMs 257 221 +16.3% 721 620 +16.3%
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ASMs 330 300 +10.0% 944 857 +10.2%
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Load
Factor 77.9% 73.7% +4.2 pts 76.4% 72.3% +4.1 pts
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U.S.
Trans-
border RPMs 98 83 +18.1% 257 208 +23.6%
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ASMs 137 117 +17.1% 384 317 +21.1%
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Load
Factor 71.5% 70.9% +0.6 pts 66.9% 65.6% +1.3 pts
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AIR CANADA
&
AIR CANADA JAZZ
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COMBINED
(AIR CANADA MAINLINE AND JAZZ)
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MARCH Year-To-Date
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2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
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Traffic
(RPMs millions) 4,296 4,058 +5.9% 11,794 11,221 +5.1%
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Capacity
(ASMs millions) 5,171 5,027 +2.9% 14,702 14,255 +3.1%
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Load Factor 83.1% 80.7% +2.4 pts 80.2% 78.7% +1.5 pts
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Canada RPMs 1,263 1,179 +7.1% 3,518 3,281 +7.2%
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ASMs 1,522 1,498 +1.6% 4,343 4,246 +2.3%
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Load
Factor 83.0% 78.7% +4.3 pts 81.0% 77.3 % +3.7 pts
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U.S.
Trans-
border RPMs 871 846 +3.0% 2,399 2,273 +5.5%
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ASMs 1,080 1,050 +2.9% 3,135 2,899 +8.1%
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Load
Factor 80.6% 80.6% 0.0 pts 76.5% 78.4% -1.9 pts
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Inter-
national RPMs 2,162 2,033 +6.3% 5,877 5,667 +3.7%
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ASMs 2,569 2,479 +3.6% 7,224 7,110 +1.6%
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Load
Factor 84.2% 82.0% +2.2 pts 81.4% 79.7% +1.7 pts
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%SEDAR: 00024384EF
For further information: Isabelle Arthur (Montréal), (514) 422-5788; Peter Fitzpatrick (Toronto), (416) 263-5576; Angela Mah (Vancouver), (604) 270-5741; Internet: aircanada.com