Air Canada reports record September load factor
MONTREAL, Oct. 3 /CNW Telbec/ - For the month of September, Air Canada today reported a load factor of 79.9 per cent on a consolidated basis with Jazz, a record for the month, versus 78.7 per cent in September 2007, an increase of 1.2 percentage points. System traffic decreased 5.0 per cent on a capacity decrease of 6.4 per cent system wide. Air Canada mainline reported a load factor of 80.9 per cent, a record for the month, compared to 79.1 per cent in September 2007; an increase of 1.8 percentage points. The mainline carrier flew 4.8 per cent fewer revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in September 2008 than in September 2007 on a capacity decrease of 6.9 per cent, according to preliminary traffic figures. Jazz, from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity, flew 7.3 per cent fewer RPMs in September 2008 than in September 2007, according to preliminary traffic figures. Capacity decreased by 1.6 per cent, resulting in a load factor of 69.2 per cent, compared to 73.5 per cent in September 2007; a decrease of 4.3 percentage points. "Air Canada mainline posted a record load factor of 80.9 per cent for the month of September," said Montie Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We're pleased that through on-going prudent capacity management we are able to maintain our strong performance, even in a softening North American market. I am particularly proud of our employees who, for the sixth consecutive month, have exceeded On-Time Performance objectives through some of the busiest travel periods of the year." 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) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SEPTEMBER YEAR-TO-DATE ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Traffic (RPMs millions) 3,928 4,125 -4.8% 36,506 35,943 +1.6% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capacity (ASMs millions) 4,854 5,212 -6.9% 44,162 43,759 +0.9% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 80.9% 79.1% +1.8 pts 82.7% 82.1% +0.6 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 1,107 1,153 -4.0% 10,293 10,124 +1.7% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Canada ASMs 1,417 1,472 -3.7% 12,662 12,365 +2.4% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 78.1% 78.3% -0.2 pts 81.3% 81.9% -0.6 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 455 568 -19.9% 5,351 5,782 -7.5% U.S. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Trans- ASMs 604 763 -20.8% 6,754 7,299 -7.5% border ---------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 75.3% 74.4% +0.9 pts 79.2% 79.2% 0.0 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 1,268 1,302 -2.6% 9,901 9,850 +0.5% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Atlantic ASMs 1,417 1,575 -10.0% 11,533 11,665 -1.1% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 89.5% 82.7% +6.8 pts 85.8% 84.4% +1.4 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 771 797 -3.3% 6,751 6,727 +0.4% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Pacific ASMs 982 1,012 -3.0% 8,031 8,057 -0.3% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 78.5% 78.8% -0.3 pts 84.1% 83.5% +0.6 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 327 305 +7.2% 4,210 3,460 +21.7% Latin ---------------------------------------------------------------- America ASMs 434 390 +11.3% 5,182 4,373 +18.5% & Other ---------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 75.3% 78.2% -2.9 pts 81.2% 79.1% +2.1 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- AIR CANADA'S REGIONAL CAPACITY PROVIDER (JAZZ) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SEPTEMBER Year-To-Date ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Traffic (RPMs millions) 331 357 -7.3% 3,161 3,240 -2.4% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capacity (ASMs millions) 478 486 -1.6% 4,329 4,341 -0.3% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 69.2% 73.5% -4.3 pts 73.0% 74.6% -1.6 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 235 271 -13.3% 2,312 2,433 -5.0% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Canada ASMs 314 356 -11.8% 3,027 3,163 -4.3% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 74.8% 76.1% -1.3 pts 76.4% 76.9% -0.5pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 96 86 +11.6% 849 807 +5.2% U.S. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Trans- ASMs 164 130 +26.2% 1,302 1,178 +10.5% border ---------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 58.5% 66.2% -7.7 pts 65.2% 68.5% -3.3 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMBINED (AIR CANADA MAINLINE AND JAZZ) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SEPTEMBER Year-To-Date ---------------------------------------------------------------- 2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Traffic (RPMs millions) 4,259 4,482 -5.0% 39,667 39,183 +1.2% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capacity (ASMs millions) 5,332 5,698 -6.4% 48,491 48,100 +0.8% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 79.9% 78.7% +1.2 pts 81.8% 81.5% +0.3 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 1,342 1,424 -5.8% 12,605 12,557 +0.4% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Canada ASMs 1,731 1,828 -5.3% 15,689 15,528 +1.0% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 77.5% 77.9% -0.4 pts 80.3% 80.9% -0.6 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 551 654 -15.7% 6,200 6,589 -5.9% U.S. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Trans- ASMs 768 893 -14.0% 8,056 8,477 -5.0% border ---------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 71.7% 73.2% -1.5 pts 77.0% 77.7% -0.7 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 2,366 2,404 -1.6% 20,862 20,037 +4.1% Interna- ---------------------------------------------------------------- tional ASMs 2,833 2,977 -4.8% 24,746 24,095 +2.7% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 83.5% 80.8% +2.7 pts 84.3% 83.2% +1.1 pts -------------------------------------------------------------------------%SEDAR: 00001324EF
For further information:
For further information: Isabelle Arthur (Montréal), (514) 422-5788; Angela Mah (Vancouver), (604) 270-5741; Peter Fitzpatrick (Toronto), (416) 263-5576; Internet: aircanada.com