Air Canada reports record November load factor
Mainline domestic traffic grows over previous year
MONTREAL, Dec. 3 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada and Jazz reported today a
record consolidated load factor of 77.6 per cent for the month of November,
according to preliminary traffic figures.
The result was an increase of 1.9 percentage points over its 75.7 per
cent load factor in November 2007. System traffic decreased 5.2 per cent on a
capacity reduction of 7.5 per cent system wide.
Air Canada mainline reported a load factor of 78.5 per cent compared to
76.1 per cent in November 2007; an increase of 2.4 percentage points. The
mainline carrier flew 4.4 per cent fewer revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in
November 2008 than in November 2007 on a capacity decrease of 7.3 per cent.
Domestically, traffic grew 2.8 per cent on a 2.2 per cent increase in
capacity.
Jazz, from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity, reported a load
factor of 69.6 per cent, a decrease of 2.6 percentage points from 72.2 per
cent in November 2007. Capacity decreased by 9.4 per cent from November 2007
and the carrier flew 12.7 per cent fewer RPMs than in the previous November.
"Air Canada reported a record 77.6 per cent consolidated load factor for
November, one of the highest in the North American industry. Our strong
performance reflects a more robust Canadian market relative to that of the
U.S.," said Montie Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer. "These
traffic results show that we are managing capacity effectively and utilizing
our assets efficiently. This ongoing strategy along with the decline in fuel
prices positions us well to manage through these challenging economic times.
Our performance is also a tribute to our employees' hard work and I thank them
for their commitment to customer service, exemplified by the fact November was
the eighth consecutive month in which we exceeded our monthly On-Time
Performance target."
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
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, credit and economic conditions, currency exchange and interest rates,
competition, war, terrorist acts, epidemic diseases, insurance issues and
costs, changes in demand due to the seasonal nature of the business, the
ability to reduce operating costs, employee and labour relations, pension
issues, supply issues, changes in laws, regulatory developments or
proceedings, pending and future litigation and actions by third parties, as
well as the factors (including assumptions) identified in Air Canada's public
disclosure file and accessible through SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Any
forward-looking statements contained in this disclosure represent Air Canada's
expectations as of the date of this disclosure and are subject to change after
such date. 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)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOVEMBER YEAR-TO-DATE
-------------------------------------------------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
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Traffic
(RPMs millions) 2,929 3,065 -4.4% 42,984 42,705 +0.7%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity
(ASMs millions) 3,732 4,027 -7.3% 52,266 52,460 -0.4%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 78.5% 76.1% +2.4 pts 82.2% 81.4% +0.8 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 912 887 +2.8% 12,242 12,081 +1.3%
--------------------------------------------------------------
Canada ASMs 1,146 1,121 +2.2% 15,084 14,822 +1.8%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 79.6% 79.1% +0.5 pts 81.2% 81.5% -0.3 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 458 552 -17.0% 6,277 6,913 -9.2%
U.S. ----------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 590 735 -19.7% 7,929 8,780 -9.7%
border ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 77.6% 75.1% +2.5 pts 79.2% 78.7% +0.5 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 697 719 -3.1% 11,605 11,578 +0.2%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic ASMs 926 975 -5.0% 13,678 13,934 -1.8%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 75.3% 73.7% +1.6 pts 84.8% 83.1% +1.7 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 502 588 -14.6% 7,979 8,059 -1.0%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ASMs 576 766 -24.8% 9,467 9,737 -2.8%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 87.2% 76.8% +10.4 pts 84.3% 82.8% +1.5 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 360 319 +12.9% 4,881 4,074 +19.8%
Latin ----------------------------------------------------------------
America ASMs 494 430 +14.9% 6,108 5,187 +17.8%
& Other ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 72.9% 74.2% -1.3 pts 79.9% 78.5% +1.4 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIR CANADA'S REGIONAL CAPACITY PROVIDER
(JAZZ)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOVEMBER YEAR-TO-DATE
-------------------------------------------------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic
(RPMs millions) 288 330 -12.7% 3,799 3,932 -3.4%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity
(ASMs millions) 414 457 -9.4% 5,232 5,287 -1.0%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 69.6% 72.2% -2.6 pts 72.6% 74.4% -1.8 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 198 249 -20.5% 2,752 2,954 -6.8%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Canada ASMs 270 334 -19.2% 3,615 3,850 -6.1%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 73.3% 74.6% -1.3 pts 76.1% 76.7% -0.6 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 90 81 +11.1% 1,047 978 +7.1%
U.S. ----------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 144 123 +17.1% 1,617 1,437 +12.5%
border ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 62.5% 65.9% -3.4 pts 64.7% 68.1% -3.4 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMBINED
(AIR CANADA MAINLINE AND JAZZ)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOVEMBER YEAR-TO-DATE
-------------------------------------------------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic
(RPMs millions) 3,217 3,395 -5.2% 46,783 46,637 +0.3%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity
(ASMs millions) 4,146 4,484 -7.5% 57,498 57,747 -0.4%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 77.6% 75.7% +1.9 pts 81.4% 80.8% +0.6 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 1,110 1,136 -2.3% 14,994 15,035 -0.3%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Canada ASMs 1,416 1,455 -2.7% 18,699 18,672 +0.1%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 78.4% 78.1% +0.3 pts 80.2% 80.5% -0.3 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 548 633 -13.4% 7,324 7,891 -7.2%
U.S. ----------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 734 858 -14.5% 9,546 10,217 -6.6%
border ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 74.7% 73.8% +0.9 pts 76.7% 77.2% -0.5 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 1,559 1,626 -4.1% 24,465 23,711 +3.2%
Interna- ----------------------------------------------------------------
tional ASMs 1,996 2,171 -8.1% 29,253 28,858 +1.4%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 78.1% 74.9% +3.2 pts 83.6% 82.2% +1.4 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