Air Canada reports record load factor for the month of May
MONTREAL, June 4 /CNW Telbec/ - For the month of May, system traffic on a
consolidated basis for Air Canada and Jazz rose 4.5 per cent on a capacity
increase of 4.0 per cent system wide. This resulted in a record load factor of
83.2 per cent versus 82.9 per cent in May 2007.
The mainline carrier flew 5.4 per cent more revenue passenger miles
(RPMs) in May 2008 than in May 2007, according to preliminary traffic figures.
Capacity increased by 4.7 per cent, resulting in a record load factor of
84.3 per cent for the month compared to 83.8 per cent in May 2007; an increase
of 0.5 percentage points.
Jazz, from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity, flew 5.4 per
cent fewer RPMs in May 2008 than in May 2007, according to preliminary traffic
figures. Capacity decreased by 2.6 per cent, resulting in a load factor of
72.4 per cent, compared to 74.5 per cent in May 2007; a decrease of
2.1 percentage points.
"With a record load factor of 83.2 per cent for the month of May, Air
Canada once again surpassed previous results on a combined basis with Jazz,"
said Montie Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Traffic continued
to outpace capacity growth, reflecting our sustained growth in the domestic
Canada and international markets. These strong results demonstrate how Air
Canada is attracting new customers with a young, fuel efficient fleet,
industry-leading in-flight amenities and innovative fare products. I am
especially proud of our employees who exceeded On-Time Performance objectives
for the month as they work hard to earn the loyalty of our customers as we
head into the peak summer travel season."
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)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAY Year-To-Date
--------------------------------------------------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
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Traffic
(RPMs millions) 3,956 3,752 +5.4% 18,885 18,201 +3.8%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity
(ASMs millions) 4,691 4,479 +4.7% 23,046 22,230 +3.7%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 84.3% 83.8% +0.5 pts 81.9% 81.9% 0.0 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 1,203 1,114 +8.0% 5,135 4,934 +4.1%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Canada ASMs 1,467 1,363 +7.6% 6,231 5,972 +4.3%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 82.0% 81.7% +0.3 pts 82.4% 82.6% -0.2 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 499 567 -12.0% 3,242 3,360 -3.5%
U.S. ----------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 620 698 -11.2% 4,078 4,270 -4.5%
border ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 80.5% 81.2% -0.7 pts 79.5% 78.7% +0.8 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 1,129 1,086 +4.0% 4,581 4,460 +2.7%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic ASMs 1,290 1,237 +4.3% 5,554 5,292 +5.0%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 87.5% 87.8% -0.3 pts 82.5% 84.3% -1.8 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 719 701 +2.6% 3,311 3,294 +0.5%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ASMs 807 811 -0.5% 3,946 3,929 +0.4%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 89.1% 86.4% +2.7 pts 83.9% 83.8% +0.1 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 406 284 +43.0% 2,616 2,153 +21.5%
Latin ----------------------------------------------------------------
America ASMs 507 370 +37.0% 3,237 2,767 +17.0%
& Other ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 80.1% 76.8% +3.3 pts 80.8% 77.8% +3.0 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIR CANADA'S REGIONAL CAPACITY PROVIDER
(JAZZ)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAY Year-To-Date
--------------------------------------------------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic
(RPMs millions) 349 369 -5.4% 1,740 1,697 +2.5%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity
(ASMs millions) 482 495 -2.6% 2,355 2,296 +2.6%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 72.4% 74.5% -2.1 pts 73.9% 73.9% 0.0 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 248 280 -11.4% 1,299 1,262 +2.9%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Canada ASMs 329 363 -9.4% 1,693 1,650 +2.6%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 75.4% 77.1% -1.7pts 76.7% 76.5% +0.2 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 101 89 +13.5% 441 435 +1.4%
U.S. ----------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 153 132 +15.9% 662 646 +2.5%
border ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 66.0% 67.4% -1.4 pts 66.6% 67.3% -0.7 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMBINED
(AIR CANADA MAINLINE AND JAZZ)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAY Year-To-Date
--------------------------------------------------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic
(RPMs millions) 4,305 4,121 +4.5% 20,625 19,898 +3.7%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity
(ASMs millions) 5,173 4,974 +4.0% 25,401 24,526 +3.6%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 83.2% 82.9% +0.3 pts 81.2% 81.1% +0.1 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 1,451 1,394 +4.1% 6,434 6,196 +3.8%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Canada ASMs 1,796 1,726 +4.1% 7,924 7,622 +4.0%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 80.8% 80.8% 0.0pts 81.2% 81.3% -0.1 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 600 656 -8.5% 3,683 3,795 -3.0%
U.S. ----------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 773 830 -6.9% 4,740 4,916 -3.6%
border ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 77.6% 79.0% -1.4 pts 77.7% 77.2% +0.5 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 2,254 2,071 +8.8% 10,508 9.907 +6.1%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Interna- ASMs 2,604 2,418 +7.7% 12,737 11,988 +6.2%
tional ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 86.6% 85.6% +1.0 pts 82.5% 82.6% -0.1 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; Internet: aircanada.com