Air Canada reports January traffic
System passenger load factor of 77.8% - highest ever for January
MONTREAL, Feb. 6 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada reported a system load factor
of 77.8 per cent in January 2007, the highest ever for the first month of the
year and the fourth consecutive month of record system load factors.
The mainline carrier flew 2.7 per cent more revenue passenger miles
(RPMs) in January 2007 than in January 2006, according to preliminary traffic
figures. Capacity increased by 2.0 per cent, resulting in a load factor of
78.6 per cent, compared to 78.1 per cent in January 2006; an increase of
0.5 percentage points.
Jazz, from whom Air Canada purchases regional capacity, flew
19.3 per cent more RPMs in January 2007 than in January 2006, according to
preliminary traffic figures. Capacity increased by 14.1 per cent, resulting in
a load factor of 69.3 per cent, compared to 66.2 per cent in January 2006; an
increase of 3.1 percentage points.
Year over year, system traffic on a combined basis for Air Canada and
Jazz, rose 3.9 per cent on a capacity increase of 2.9 per cent, resulting in a
load factor of 77.8 per cent; an increase of 0.7 percentage points.
"Air Canada recorded its best ever load factor for the month of January,
marking a continuation of the strong traffic trends of the last quarter of
2006," said Montie Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer. "That we
were able to increase our load factor and capacity in this normally
challenging month shows we are successfully combining our product innovations,
including our simplified fare structure and new aircraft, with a disciplined
approach to growth. Customers are demonstrating an increasing preference for
Air Canada's services and our employees are working hard to earn and keep
their loyalty."
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
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIR CANADA MAINLINE
(Includes Jetz)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
JANUARY YEAR-TO-DATE
-------------------------------------------------
2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic (RPMs
millions) 3,595 3,500 +2.7% 3,595 3,500 +2.7%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity (ASMs
millions) 4,571 4,483 +2.0% 4,571 4,483 +2.0%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 78.6% 78.1% +0.5 pts 78.6% 78.1% +0.5 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canada RPMs 920 874 +5.3% 920 874 +5.3%
----------------------------------------------------------
ASMs 1,166 1,151 +1.3% 1,166 1,151 +1.3%
----------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 78.9% 75.9% +3.0 pts 78.9% 75.9% +3.0 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S.
Transborder RPMs 704 661 +6.5% 704 661 +6.5%
----------------------------------------------------------
ASMs 956 860 +11.2% 956 860 +11.2%
----------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 73.6% 76.9% 3.3 pts 73.6% 76.9% -3.3 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic RPMs 799 775 +3.1% 799 775 +3.1%
----------------------------------------------------------
ASMs 998 982 +1.6% 998 982 +1.6%
----------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 80.1% 78.9% +1.2 pts 80.1% 78.9% +1.2 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific RPMs 650 657 -1.1% 650 657 -1.1%
----------------------------------------------------------
ASMs 795 796 -0.1% 795 796 -0.1%
----------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 81.8% 82.5% -0.7 pts 81.8% 82.5% -0.7 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Latin America
& Other RPMs 522 533 -2.1% 522 533 -2.1%
----------------------------------------------------------
ASMs 656 694 -5.5% 656 694 -5.5%
----------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 79.6% 76.8% +2.8 pts 79.6% 76.8% +2.8 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIR CANADA JAZZ
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIR CANADA'S REGIONAL CAPACITY PROVIDER
(Jazz)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
JANUARY YEAR-TO-DATE
-------------------------------------------------
2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic (RPMs
millions) 309 259 +19.3% 309 259 +19.3%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity (ASMs
millions) 446 391 +14.1% 446 391 +14.1%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 69.3% 66.2% +3.1 pts 69.3% 66.2% +3.1 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canada RPMs 230 198 +16.2% 230 198 +16.2%
----------------------------------------------------------
ASMs 318 290 +9.7% 318 290 +9.7%
----------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 72.3% 68.3% +4.0 pts 72.3% 68.3% +4.0 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S.
Transborder RPMs 79 61 +29.5% 79 61 +29.5%
----------------------------------------------------------
ASMs 128 101 +26.7% 128 101 +26.7%
----------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 61.7% 60.4% +1.3 pts 61.7% 60.4% +1.3 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIR CANADA & AIR CANADA JAZZ
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMBINED
(AIR CANADA MAINLINE AND JAZZ)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
JANUARY YEAR-TO-DATE
-------------------------------------------------
2007 2006 Change 2007 2006 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic (RPMs
millions) 3,904 3,759 +3.9% 3,904 3,759 +3.9%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity (ASMs
millions) 5,017 4,874 +2.9% 5,017 4,874 +2.9%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 77.8% 77.1% +0.7 pts 77.8% 77.1% +0.7 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canada RPMs 1,150 1,072 +7.3% 1,150 1,072 +7.3%
----------------------------------------------------------
ASMs 1,484 1,441 +3.0% 1,484 1,441 +3.0%
----------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 77.5% 74.4% +3.1 pts 77.5% 74.4% +3.1 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S.
Transborder RPMs 783 722 +8.4% 783 722 +8.4%
----------------------------------------------------------
ASMs 1,084 961 +12.8% 1,084 961 +12.8%
----------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 72.2% 75.1% -2.9 pts 72.2% 75.1% -2.9 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
International RPMs 1,971 1,965 +0.3% 1,971 1,965 +0.3%
----------------------------------------------------------
ASMs 2,449 2,472 -0.9% 2,449 2,472 -0.9%
----------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 80.5% 79.5% +1.0 pts 80.5% 79.5% +1.0 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
%SEDAR: 00024384EFFor further information: Isabelle Arthur (Montréal), (514) 422-5788; Peter Fitzpatrick (Toronto), (416) 263-5576; Angela Mah (Vancouver), (604) 270-5741; Internet: aircanada.com