Air Canada reports record consolidated load factor for July
MONTREAL, Aug. 5 /CNW Telbec/ - For the month of July, Air Canada today reported a record load system factor of 83.6 per cent on a consolidated basis with Jazz (from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity), versus 83.0 per cent in July 2008, an increase of 0.6 percentage points. System traffic decreased 3.3 per cent on a capacity reduction of 4.1 per cent system wide. "In July, Air Canada recorded a record system load factor for the month of 83.6 per cent on a consolidated basis with Jazz," said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer. "This result, achieved despite persistent weakness in the global economy, is attributable to our disciplined approach to managing capacity, evidenced by the stable load factors across our entire global network. It is also reflective of our commitment to revitalize our distribution network, which is benefiting both Air Canada and our agency partners. With our immediate goals for stabilizing the airline achieved, we can now concentrate fully on securing our customers' loyalty and working towards sustained profitability. Essential to this process are our employees, who again last month demonstrated their dedication by delivering superior service while safely transporting our customers. I commend them for their efforts as together we continue to build a new Air Canada." CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Air Canada's public communications may include written or oral forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are based on assumptions and are subject to important risks and uncertainties. Any forecasts or forward-looking predictions or statements cannot be relied upon due to, amongst other things, changing external events and general uncertainties of the business. Actual results may differ materially from results indicated in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including without limitation, industry, market, credit and economic conditions, the ability to reduce operating costs and secure financing, pension issues, energy prices, currency exchange and interest rates, employee and labour relations, competition, war, terrorist acts, epidemic diseases, insurance issues and costs, changes in demand due to the seasonal nature of the business, supply issues, changes in laws, regulatory developments or proceedings, pending and future litigation and actions by third parties as well as the factors identified throughout Air Canada's public disclosure file available at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent Air Canada's expectations as of the date of this news release and are subject to change after such date. However, 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.------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONSOLIDATED (AIR CANADA MAINLINE AND JAZZ) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JULY YEAR-TO-DATE ------------------------------------------------------- 2009 2008 Change 2009 2008 Change ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Traffic (RPMs millions) 4,852 5,020 -3.3% 27,698 30,235 -8.4% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capacity (ASMs millions) 5,802 6,048 -4.1% 34,359 37,035 -7.2% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 83.6% 83.0% +0.6 pts 80.6% 81.6% -1.0 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 1,613 1,604 +0.6% 8,902 9,551 -6.8% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Canada ASMs 2,023 2,033 -0.5% 11,212 11,859 -5.5% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 79.7% 78.9% +0.8 pts 79.4% 80.5% -1.1 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 616 679 -9.3% 4,372 4,960 -11.9% U.S. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Trans- ASMs 786 878 -10.5% 5,781 6,413 -9.9% border ---------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 78.4% 77.4% +1.0 pts 75.7% 77.3% -1.6 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 1,465 1,374 +6.6% 6,946 7,231 -3.9% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Atlantic ASMs 1,645 1,550 +6.1% 8,344 8,563 -2.6% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 89.0% 88.6% +0.4 pts 83.2% 84.4% -1.2 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 759 917 -17.2% 4,152 5,050 -17.8% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Pacific ASMs 883 1,075 -17.9% 4,848 5,973 -18.8% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 86.0% 85.3% +0.7 pts 85.6% 84.5% +1.1 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 399 446 -10.5% 3,325 3,444 -3.5% Latin ---------------------------------------------------------------- America ASMs 465 511 -9.0% 4,174 4,228 -1.3% & Other ---------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 85.8% 87.3% -1.5 pts 79.7% 81.5% -1.8 pts -------------------------------------------------------------------------
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