Air Canada reports July traffic - Load Factor of 83.0 per cent, matching July 2005 record
MONTREAL, Aug. 8 /CNW Telbec/ - For the month of July, Air Canada today
reported a load factor of 83.0 per cent on a consolidated basis with Jazz,
matching a July 2005 record, versus 81.8 per cent in July 2007, an increase of
1.2 percentage points. System traffic decreased 0.6 per cent on a capacity
decrease of 2.0 per cent system wide.
The mainline carrier flew 0.1 per cent fewer revenue passenger miles
(RPMs) in July 2008 than in July 2007, according to preliminary traffic
figures. Capacity decreased by 1.8 per cent, resulting in a load factor of
84.0 per cent for the month compared to 82.5 per cent in July 2007; an
increase of 1.5 percentage points.
Jazz, from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity, flew 7.1 per
cent fewer RPMs in July 2008 than in July 2007, according to preliminary
traffic figures. Capacity decreased by 4.3 per cent, resulting in a load
factor of 72.1 per cent, compared to 74.2 per cent in July 2007; a decrease of
2.1 percentage points.
"With a load factor of 83 per cent for the month of July, Air Canada
matched a previous record for the month set in July 2005," said Montie Brewer,
President and Chief Executive Officer. "As expected, demand in North America
has softened somewhat as the industry adjusts fares to reflect record prices
for fuel. Demand on U.S. transborder routes was also impacted by the weakness
in the U.S. economy. However, through prudent capacity management, we adjusted
operations effectively. I am especially proud of our employees who again
exceeded On-Time Performance and Customer Satisfaction objectives for the
month as they work hard to earn the loyalty of our customers."
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)
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JULY Year-To-Date
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2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
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Traffic
(RPMs millions) 4,653 4,656 -0.1% 27,772 26,975 +3.0%
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Capacity
(ASMs millions) 5,539 5,642 -1.8% 33,684 32,808 +2.7%
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Load Factor 84.0% 82.5% +1.5 pts 82.4% 82.2% +0.2 pts
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RPMs 1,343 1,365 -1.6% 7,740 7,497 +3.2%
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Canada ASMs 1,686 1,689 -0.2% 9,489 9,147 +3.7%
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Load
Factor 79.7% 80.8% -1.1 pts 81.6% 82.0% -0.4 pts
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RPMs 573 639 -10.3% 4,308 4,565 -5.6%
U.S. ----------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 716 784 -8.7% 5,431 5,755 -5.6%
border ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 80.0% 81.5% -1.5 pts 79.3% 79.3% 0.0 pts
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RPMs 1,374 1,369 +0.4% 7,231 7,131 +1.4%
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Atlantic ASMs 1,551 1,626 -4.6% 8,563 8,415 +1.8%
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Load
Factor 88.6% 84.2% +4.4 pts 84.4% 84.7% -0.3 pts
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RPMs 917 924 -0.8% 5,050 4,967 +1.7%
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Pacific ASMs 1,075 1,127 -4.6% 5,973 5,919 +0.9%
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Load
Factor 85.3% 82.0% +3.3 pts 84.5% 83.9% +0.6 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
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RPMs 446 359 +24.2% 3,443 2,815 +22.3%
Latin ----------------------------------------------------------------
America ASMs 511 416 +22.8% 4,228 3,572 +18.4%
& Other ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 87.3% 86.3% +1.0 pts 81.4% 78.8% +2.6 pts
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AIR CANADA'S REGIONAL CAPACITY PROVIDER
(JAZZ)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
JULY Year-To-Date
--------------------------------------------------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
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Traffic
(RPMs millions) 367 395 -7.1% 2,456 2,470 -0.6%
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Capacity
(ASMs millions) 509 532 -4.3% 3,340 3,322 +0.5%
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Load Factor 72.1% 74.2% -2.1 pts 73.5% 74.4% -0.9 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 261 297 -12.1% 1,808 1,846 -2.1%
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Canada ASMs 347 394 -11.9% 2,365 2,409 -1.8%
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Load
Factor 75.2% 75.4% -0.2 pts 76.4% 76.6% -0.2 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
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RPMs 106 98 +8.2% 648 624 +3.8%
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U.S.
Trans- ASMs 162 138 +17.4% 975 913 +6.8%
border ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 65.4% 71.0% -5.6 pts 66.5% 68.3% -1.8 pts
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COMBINED
(AIR CANADA MAINLINE AND JAZZ)
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JULY Year-To-Date
--------------------------------------------------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
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Traffic
(RPMs millions) 5,020 5,051 -0.6% 30,228 29,445 +2.7%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity
(ASMs millions) 6,048 6,174 -2.0% 37,024 36,130 +2.5%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 83.0% 81.8% +1.2 pts 81.6% 81.5% +0.1 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 1,604 1,662 -3.5% 9,548 9,343 +2.2%
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Canada ASMs 2,033 2,083 -2.4% 11,854 11,556 +2.6%
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Load
Factor 78.9% 79.8% -0.9 pts 80.5% 80.8% -0.3 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
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RPMs 679 737 -7.9% 4,956 5,189 -4.5%
U.S. ----------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 878 922 -4.8% 6,406 6,668 -3.9%
border ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 77.3% 79.9% -2.6 pts 77.4% 77.8% -0.4 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 2,737 2,652 +3.2% 15,724 14,913 +5.4%
Interna- ----------------------------------------------------------------
tional ASMs 3,137 3,169 -1.0% 18,764 17,906 +4.8%
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Load
Factor 87.2% 83.7% +3.5 pts 83.8% 83.3% +0.5 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