Air Canada Reports April Traffic
MONTREAL, May 5 /CNW Telbec/ - For the month of April, Air Canada today
reported a load factor of 81.1 per cent on a consolidated basis with Jazz,
versus 82.7 per cent in April 2008, a decrease of 1.6 percentage points.
System traffic decreased 4.1 per cent on a capacity reduction of 2.2 per cent
system wide.
Air Canada mainline reported a load factor of 82.4 per cent in April 2009
compared to 83.5 per cent in April 2008; a decrease of 1.1 percentage points.
The mainline carrier flew 3.2 per cent fewer revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in
April 2009 than in April 2008 on a capacity decrease of 1.9 per cent.
Jazz, from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity, reported a load
factor of 68.1 per cent, a decrease of 6.8 percentage points from 74.9 per
cent in April 2008. Capacity decreased by 5.0 per cent from April 2008 and the
carrier flew 13.6 per cent fewer RPMs than in the previous April.
"For the month of April, Air Canada reported a strong load factor of 81.1
per cent on a consolidated basis with Jazz," said Calin Rovinescu, President
and Chief Executive Officer. "We will continue our disciplined approach to
capacity management to ensure assets are efficiently deployed as we gear up to
meet peak summer season travel demand. In addition, as we manage through this
economic downturn, we will ensure that Air Canada is well positioned to
capitalize on the inevitable economic recovery that will take place. This
includes leveraging our strategic business partnership with Aeroplan through
the recent sale of 250,000 additional seats with the triple objectives of
raising revenue, earning customer loyalty and differentiating our brand from
the competition. Other recent customer-focused measures we have taken include
the introduction of our Low Fare Guarantee and the elimination of call centre
fees.
"I commend our employees who exceeded both Customer Satisfaction and
On-Time Performance objectives for the month, achieving on-time arrivals
performance of 82 per cent for the month of April, a three percentage point
improvement over the same month a year ago."
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Air Canada's public communications may include written or oral
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, 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.-------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIR CANADA MAINLINE
(Includes Jetz & Tier 3)
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APRIL YEAR-TO-DATE
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2009 2008 Change 2009 2008 Change
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Traffic
(RPMs millions) 3,533 3,650 -3.2% 13,655 14,936 -8.6%
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Capacity
(ASMs millions) 4,288 4,371 -1.9% 16,842 18,367 -8.3%
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Load Factor 82.4% 83.5% -1.1 pts 81.1% 81.3% -0.2 pts
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RPMs 981 1,028 -4.6% 3,776 3,936 -4.1%
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Canada ASMs 1,188 1,206 -1.5% 4,637 4,769 -2.8%
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Load
Factor 82.6% 85.2% -2.6 pts 81.4% 82.5% -1.1 pts
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RPMs 569 598 -4.8% 2,361 2,747 -14.1%
U.S. ----------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 723 741 -2.4% 2,945 3,464 -15.0%
border ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 78.7% 80.7% -2.0 pts 80.2% 79.3% +0.9 pts
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RPMs 954 951 +0.3% 3,133 3,453 -9.3%
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Atlantic ASMs 1,123 1,095 +2.6% 3,984 4,264 -6.6%
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Load
Factor 85.0% 86.8% -1.8 pts 78.6% 81.0% -2.4 pts
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RPMs 584 657 -11.1% 2,123 2,592 -18.1%
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Pacific ASMs 670 790 -15.2% 2,407 3,139 -23.3%
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Load
Factor 87.2% 83.2% +4.0 pts 88.2% 82.6% +5.6 pts
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RPMs 445 416 +7.0% 2,262 2,208 +2.4%
Latin ----------------------------------------------------------------
America ASMs 584 539 +8.3% 2,869 2,731 +5.1%
& Other ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 76.2% 77.2% -1.0 pts 78.8% 80.8% -2.0 pts
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AIR CANADA'S REGIONAL CAPACITY PROVIDER
(JAZZ)
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APRIL YEAR-TO-DATE
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2009 2008 Change 2009 2008 Change
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Traffic
(RPMs millions) 299 346 -13.6% 1,162 1,391 -16.5%
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Capacity
(ASMs millions) 439 462 -5.0% 1,707 1,873 -8.9%
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Load Factor 68.1% 74.9% -6.8 pts 68.1% 74.3% -6.2 pts
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RPMs 208 255 -18.4% 810 1,051 -22.9%
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Canada ASMs 282 329 -14.3% 1,096 1,364 -19.6%
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Load
Factor 73.8% 77.5% -3.7 pts 73.9% 77.1% -3.2 pts
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RPMs 91 91 0.0% 352 340 +3.5%
U.S. ----------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 157 133 +18.0% 611 509 +20.0%
border ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 58.0% 68.4% -10.4 pts 57.6% 66.8% -9.2 pts
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CONSOLIDATED
(AIR CANADA MAINLINE AND JAZZ)
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APRIL YEAR-TO-DATE
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2009 2008 Change 2009 2008 Change
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Traffic
(RPMs millions) 3,832 3,996 -4.1% 14,817 16,327 -9.2%
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Capacity
(ASMs millions) 4,727 4,833 -2.2% 18,549 20,240 -8.4%
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Load Factor 81.1% 82.7% -1.6 pts 79.9% 80.7% -0.8 pts
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RPMs 1,189 1,283 -7.3% 4,586 4,987 -8.0%
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Canada ASMs 1,470 1,535 -4.2% 5,733 6,133 -6.5%
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Load
Factor 80.9% 83.6% -2.7 pts 80.0% 81.3% -1.3 pts
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RPMs 660 689 -4.2% 2,713 3,087 -12.1%
U.S. ----------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 880 874 +0.7% 3,556 3,973 -10.5%
border ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 75.0% 78.8% -3.8 pts 76.3% 77.7% -1.4 pts
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RPMs 1,983 2,024 -2.0% 7,518 8,253 -8.9%
Interna- ----------------------------------------------------------------
tional ASMs 2,377 2,424 -1.9% 9,260 10,134 -8.6%
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Load
Factor 83.4% 83.5% -0.1 pts 81.2% 81.4% -0.2 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; aircanada.com