MONTREAL, Nov. 4 /CNW Telbec/ - For the month of October, Air Canada reported a record system load factor of 80.3 per cent on a consolidated basis with Jazz (from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity), versus 79.6 per cent in October 2009, an increase of 0.7 percentage points. System traffic increased 9.3 per cent on a system wide capacity increase of 8.3 per cent.
"I am very pleased to report a record load factor of 80.3 per cent for the month of October, on a consolidated basis with Jazz," said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer. "These record load factor results, led by a 6.0 percentage point year-over-year increase on the Pacific, were achieved as we continued to increase utilization of our existing fleet and deploy capacity to pursue strategic opportunities in international markets. As we reported in our third quarter financial results issued today, new international routes performed well. Traffic increased in all markets Air Canada serves, led by the Pacific with 25.1 per cent growth from the previous year. For the first 10 months of 2010, year-to-date traffic increased 8.5 per cent with a load factor of 82.4 per cent, up +1.3 percentage points, compared to the same period in 2009. I thank our employees throughout the company for delivering an award winning product and meeting On-Time Performance Objectives for the month. Their hard work and professionalism is recognized by some of our most discerning customers, as 71 percent of Canadian business travellers surveyed by Ipsos-Reid named Air Canada as their preferred airline in the firm's 2010 Canadian Business Travel Study, the third consecutive year of improvement in Air Canada's ratings."
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Air Canada's public communications may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are based on assumptions and are subject to important risks and uncertainties. Any forecasts or forward-looking predictions or statements cannot be relied upon due to, amongst other things, changing external events and general uncertainties of the business. Actual results may differ materially from results indicated in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including without limitation, industry, market, credit and economic conditions, the ability to reduce operating costs and secure financing, pension issues, energy prices, currency exchange and interest rates, employee and labour relations, competition, war, terrorist acts, epidemic diseases, environmental factors (including weather systems and other natural phenomena, such as volcanic eruptions, and factors arising from man-made sources), insurance issues and costs, changes in demand due to the seasonal nature of the business, supply issues, changes in laws, regulatory developments or proceedings, pending and future litigation and actions by third parties as well as the factors identified throughout Air Canada's public disclosure file available at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent Air Canada's expectations as of the date of this news release and are subject to change after such date. However, 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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED
(AIR CANADA MAINLINE AND JAZZ)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OCTOBER YEAR-TO-DATE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2010 2009 Change 2010 2009 Change
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic
(RPMs mln) 4,207 3,850 +9.3% 44,326 40,849 +8.5%
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity
(ASMs mln) 5,238 4,835 +8.3% 53,817 50,338 +6.9%
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 80.3% 79.6% +0.7 pts 82.4% 81.1% +1.3 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 1,287 1,258 +2.3% 13,490 13,243 +1.9%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Canada ASMs 1,589 1,563 +1.7% 16,703 16,533 +1.0%
---------------------------------------------------------------
LF 81.0% 80.5% +0.5 pts 80.8% 80.1% +0.7 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 591 534 +10.7% 6,589 6,060 +8.7%
US ---------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 807 731 +10.4% 8,660 8,033 +7.8%
border ---------------------------------------------------------------
LF 73.2% 73.1% +0.1 pts 76.1% 75.4% +0.7 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 1,115 1,046 +6.6% 11,637 10,809 +7.7%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic ASMs 1,431 1,296 +10.4% 13,826 12,823 +7.8%
---------------------------------------------------------------
LF 77.9% 80.7% -2.8 pts 84.2% 84.3% -0.1 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 838 670 +25.1% 7,774 6,350 +22.4%
---------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ASMs 930 797 +16.7% 8,689 7,431 +16.9%
---------------------------------------------------------------
LF 90.1% 84.1% +6.0 pts 89.5% 85.5% +4.0 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 376 342 +9.9% 4,836 4,387 +10.2%
Latin ---------------------------------------------------------------
Amer ASMs 481 448 +7.4% 5,939 5,518 +7.6%
& ---------------------------------------------------------------
Other LF 78.2% 76.3% +1.9 pts 81.4% 79.5% +1.9 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
%SEDAR: 00001324EF