Air Canada reports record January traffic
MONTREAL, Feb. 5 /CNW Telbec/ - For the month of January, system traffic on a consolidated basis for Air Canada and Jazz rose 3.8 per cent on a capacity increase of 3.7 per cent system wide. This resulted in a load factor of 77.9 per cent versus 77.8 per cent in January 2007, a record for the month. The mainline carrier flew 3.4 per cent more revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in January 2008 than in January 2007, according to preliminary traffic figures. Capacity increased by 3.3 per cent, resulting in a load factor of 78.7 per cent, compared to 78.6 per cent in January 2007; an increase of 0.1 percentage points. Jazz, from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity, flew 8.1 per cent more RPMs in January 2008 than in January 2007, according to preliminary traffic figures. Capacity increased by 7.8 per cent, resulting in a load factor of 69.4 per cent, compared to 69.3 per cent in January 2007; an increase of 0.1 percentage points. "In January, we recorded the highest ever load factor for Air Canada and Jazz, at 77.9 per cent. System wide traffic, on a combined basis, increased 3.8 per cent from the previous year, outpacing capacity growth," said Montie Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer. "These strong results in a traditionally slower travel month demonstrate disciplined capacity management, combined with customers' increasing preference for Air Canada's innovative fare products and new in-flight amenities as we renew the fleet. I am particularly proud of our employees who worked hard to take care of customers during a month of challenging winter conditions." 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, war, terrorist acts, labour or pension issues, changes in laws and regulations, litigation and actions by third parties as well as the factors identified in Air Canada's public disclosure file accessible through SEDAR at www.sedar.com. 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) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JANUARY YEAR-TO-DATE --------------------------------------------------------------- 2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change --------------------------------------------------------------- Traffic (RPMs millions) 3,726 3,602 +3.4% 3,726 3,602 +3.4% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capacity (ASMs millions) 4,734 4,582 +3.3% 4,734 4,582 +3.3% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 78.7% 78.6% +0.1 pts 78.7% 78.6% +0.1 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 961 924 +4.0% 961 924 +4.0% --------------------------------------------------------------- Canada ASMs 1,209 1,172 +3.2% 1,209 1,172 +3.2% --------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 79.5% 78.8% +0.7 pts 79.5% 78.8% +0.7 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. Trans- border RPMs 704 708 -0.6% 704 708 -0.6% --------------------------------------------------------------- ASMs 942 964 -2.3% 942 964 -2.3% --------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 74.7% 73.4% +1.3 pts 74.7% 73.4% +1.3 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 811 799 +1.5% 811 799 +1.5% --------------------------------------------------------------- Atlantic ASMs 1,059 998 +6.1% 1,059 998 +6.1% --------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 76.6% 80.1% -3.5 pts 76.6% 80.1% -3.5 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 647 650 -0.5% 647 650 -0.5% --------------------------------------------------------------- Pacific ASMs 776 795 -2.4% 776 795 -2.4% --------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 83.4% 81.8% +1.6 pts 83.4% 81.8% +1.6 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Latin America & Other RPMs 603 521 +15.7% 603 521 +15.7% --------------------------------------------------------------- ASMs 748 653 +14.5% 748 653 +14.5% --------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 80.6% 79.8% +0.8 pts 80.6% 79.8% +0.8 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- AIR CANADA'S REGIONAL CAPACITY PROVIDER (JAZZ) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JANUARY YEAR-TO-DATE --------------------------------------------------------------- 2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change --------------------------------------------------------------- Traffic (RPMs millions) 334 309 +8.1% 334 309 +8.1% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capacity (ASMs millions) 481 446 +7.8% 481 446 +7.8% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 69.4 69.3% +0.1 pts 69.4 69.3% +0.1 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 254 230 +10.4% 254 230 +10.4% --------------------------------------------------------------- Canada ASMs 350 318 +10.1% 350 318 +10.1% --------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 72.6% 72.3% +0.3 pts 72.6% 72.3% +0.3 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. Trans- border RPMs 80 79 +1.3% 80 79 +1.3% --------------------------------------------------------------- ASMs 131 128 +2.3% 131 128 +2.3% --------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 61.1% 61.7% -0.6 pts 61.1% 61.7% -0.6 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMBINED (AIR CANADA MAINLINE AND JAZZ) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JANUARY YEAR-TO-DATE --------------------------------------------------------------- 2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change --------------------------------------------------------------- Traffic (RPMs millions) 4,060 3,911 +3.8% 4,060 3,911 +3.8% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capacity (ASMs millions) 5,215 5,028 +3.7% 5,215 5,028 +3.7% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 77.9% 77.8% +0.1 pts 77.9% 77.8% +0.1 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- RPMs 1,215 1,154 +5.3% 1,215 1,154 +5.3% --------------------------------------------------------------- Canada ASMs 1,559 1,490 +4.6% 1,559 1,490 +4.6% --------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 77.9% 77.4% +0.5 pts 77.9% 77.4% +0.5 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. Trans- border RPMs 784 787 -0.4% 784 787 -0.4% --------------------------------------------------------------- ASMs 1,073 1,092 -1.7% 1,073 1,092 -1.7% --------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 73.1% 72.1% +1.0 pts 73.1% 72.1% +1.0 pts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inter- national RPMs 2,061 1,970 +4.6% 2,061 1,970 +4.6% --------------------------------------------------------------- ASMs 2,583 2,446 +5.6% 2,583 2,446 +5.6% --------------------------------------------------------------- Load Factor 79.8% 80.5% -0.7 pts 79.8% 80.5% -0.7 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