Air Canada reports record May traffic
Mainline passenger load factor of 83.8% - highest ever for May
MONTREAL, June 6 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada reported a record load factor
for the mainline of 83.8 per cent in May 2007, the highest ever for the month.
The mainline carrier flew 0.2 per cent fewer revenue passenger miles
(RPMs) in May 2007 than in May 2006, according to preliminary traffic figures.
Capacity decreased by 1.0 per cent, resulting in a load factor of
83.8 per cent, compared to 83.2 per cent in May 2006; an increase of
0.6 percentage point.
Jazz, from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity, flew
19.8 per cent more RPMs in May 2007 than in May 2006, according to preliminary
traffic figures. Capacity increased by 16.9 per cent, resulting in a load
factor of 74.6 per cent, compared to 72.8 per cent in May 2006; an increase of
1.8 percentage points.
Year over year, system traffic on a consolidated basis for Air Canada and
Jazz, rose 1.3 per cent on a capacity increase of 0.6 per cent, resulting in a
load factor of 82.8 per cent; an increase of 0.5 percentage points.
"Air Canada achieved a record load factor of 83.8 per cent for the month
of May. Traffic has remained strong, particularly in the domestic market where
traffic was up five per cent and our load factor up nearly two per cent on a
combined basis with Jazz. Our record load factor is also a testament to our
disciplined approach to capacity growth in a buoyant travel market," said
Montie Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer. "The ongoing deliveries
of new and refurbished aircraft are enabling us to offer the latest amenities
to our customers, who clearly like the new Air Canada. As well, our new
revenue model, with à la carte pricing and multi-trip subscription flight pass
products, makes it easy and affordable to fly with Air Canada. Finally, I
would like to thank our employees who continue to earn our customers' loyalty
with the quality of our service, demonstrated by the fact we exceeded on-time
performance and customer satisfaction objectives for May."
NOTE: Beginning in May 2007, Air Canada has adjusted the way it reports
its monthly traffic results. Tier 3 flying is now included in mainline results
along with Jetz. Charter flying is apportioned among the respective market
segments. The May 2006 and year-to-date traffic numbers have been adjusted to
reflect these changes for year-over-year comparisons.
This discussion contains certain forward-looking statements, which
involve a number of risks and uncertainties. As a result of many factors
including acts or potential acts of terrorism, international conflicts,
government regulations and government mandated restrictions on operations and
pricing, fuel prices, industry restructuring, labour negotiations, the
economic environment in general including foreign exchange and interest rates,
the airline competitive and pricing environment, industry capacity decisions
and new entrants as well as external events, actual results could differ from
expected results and the differences could be material.AIR CANADA
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AIR CANADA MAINLINE
(Includes Jetz)
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MAY Year-To-Date
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2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
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Traffic
(RPMs millions) 3,751 3,761 -0.2% 18,200 17,664 +3.0%
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Capacity
(ASMs millions) 4,479 4,523 -1.0% 22,229 21,887 +1.6%
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Load Factor 83.8% 83.2% +0.6 pts 81.9% 80.7% +1.2 pts
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RPMs 1,114 1,098 +1.4% 4,934 4,720 +4.5%
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Canada ASMs 1,362 1,375 -0.9% 5,972 5,975 0.0%
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Load
Factor 81.8% 79.9% +1.9 pts 82.6% 79.0% +3.6 pts
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RPMs 567 561 +1.1% 3,360 3,278 +2.5%
U.S. ----------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 698 709 -1.5% 4,270 4,108 +3.9%
border ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 81.2% 79.1% +2.1 pts 78.7% 79.8% -1.1 pts
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RPMs 1,086 1,111 -2.2% 4,460 4,342 +2.7%
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Atlantic ASMs 1,237 1,266 -2.2% 5,292 5,200 +1.8%
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Load
Factor 87.8% 87.8% 0.0 pts 84.3% 83.5% +0.8 pts
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RPMs 701 714 -1.8% 3,294 3,222 +2.2%
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Pacific ASMs 811 825 -1.6% 3,929 3,902 +0.7%
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Load
Factor 86.4% 86.6% -0.2 pts 83.8% 82.6% +1.2 pts
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RPMs 283 276 +2.5% 2,152 2,102 +2.4%
Latin ---------------------------------------------------------------
America ASMs 370 348 +6.1% 2,767 2,702 +2.4%
& Other ---------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 76.6% 79.3% -2.7pts 77.8% 77.8% 0.0 pts
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AIR CANADA'S REGIONAL CAPACITY PROVIDER
(JAZZ)
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MAY Year-To-Date
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2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
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Traffic
(RPMs millions) 369 308 +19.8% 1,697 1,417 +19.8%
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Capacity
(ASMs millions) 495 424 +16.9% 2,296 1,992 +15.3%
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Load Factor 74.6% 72.8% +1.8 pts 73.9% 71.1% +2.8 pts
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RPMs 280 226 +24.2% 1,262 1,058 +19.3%
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Canada ASMs 364 304 +19.5% 1,650 1,454 +13.5%
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Load
Factor 77.1% 74.2% +2.9 pts 76.5% 72.7% +3.8 pts
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RPMs 89 83 +7.8% 435 360 +21.0%
U.S. ----------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 132 119 +10.3% 646 538 +20.1%
border ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 67.7% 69.2% -1.5 pts 67.3% 66.8% +0.5 pts
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COMBINED
(AIR CANADA MAINLINE AND JAZZ)
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MAY Year-To-Date
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2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
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Traffic
(RPMs millions) 4,121 4,069 +1.3% 19,897 19,081 +4.3%
Capacity
(ASMs millions) 4,974 4,946 +0.6% 24,525 23,879 +2.7%
Load Factor 82.8% 82.3% +0.5 pts 81.1% 79.9% +1.2 pts
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RPMs 1,394 1,324 +5.3% 6,196 5,777 +7.2%
Canada ASMs 1,726 1,679 +2.8% 7,622 7,429 +2.6%
Load
Factor 80.8% 78.9% +1.9 pts 81.3% 77.8 % +3.5 pts
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RPMs 656 643 +2.0% 3,795 3,638 +4.3%
U.S.
Trans- ASMs 830 829 +0.2% 4,916 4,646 +5.8%
border
Load
Factor 79.0% 77.6% +1.4 pts 77.2% 78.3% -1.1 pts
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RPMs 2,071 2,102 -1.5% 9,906 9,666 +2.5%
Interna- ASMs 2,418 2,439 -0.8% 11,987 11,804 +1.6%
tional
Load
Factor 85.6% 86.2% -0.6 pts 82.6% 81.9% +0.7 pts
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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