Air Canada reports August traffic
MONTREAL, Sept. 4 /CNW Telbec/ - For the month of August, Air Canada
today reported a load factor of 84.4 per cent on a consolidated basis with
Jazz, versus 83.8 per cent in August 2007, an increase of 0.6 percentage
points. System traffic decreased 1.5 per cent on a capacity decrease of
2.2 per cent system wide.
The mainline carrier flew 0.8 per cent fewer revenue passenger miles
(RPMs) in August 2008 than in August 2007, according to preliminary traffic
figures. Capacity decreased by 2.0 per cent, resulting in a load factor of
85.4 per cent, a record for the month, compared to 84.4 per cent in August
2007; an increase of 1.0 percentage point.
Jazz, from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity, flew 9.2 per
cent fewer RPMs in August 2008 than in August 2007, according to preliminary
traffic figures. Capacity decreased by 4.1 per cent, resulting in a load
factor of 73.2 per cent, compared to 77.3 per cent in August 2007; a decrease
of 4.1 percentage points.
"At 85.4 per cent, Air Canada mainline recorded a record load factor for
the month of August," said Montie Brewer, President and Chief Executive
Officer. "Demand in North America, as expected, continues to soften as the
industry adjusts fares to reflect the ongoing impact of high fuel prices.
However, through prudent capacity management we were successful in adjusting
operations effectively. I am especially proud of our employees who once again
exceeded both On-Time Performance and Customer Satisfaction objectives for the
month as they worked hard to earn the loyalty of our customers during the peak
summer travel season."
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
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)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUGUST YEAR-TO-DATE
--------------------------------------------------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic
(RPMs millions) 4,805 4,844 -0.8% 32,577 31,819 +2.4%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity
(ASMs millions) 5,624 5,739 -2.0% 39,308 38,547 +2.0%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 85.4% 84.4% +1.0 pts 82.9% 82.5% +0.4 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 1,447 1,475 -1.9% 9,185 8,971 +2.4%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Canada ASMs 1,757 1,746 +0.6% 11,246 10,894 +3.2%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 82.4% 84.5% -2.1 pts 81.7% 82.3% -0.6 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 587 650 -9.7% 4,896 5,215 -6.1%
U.S. ----------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 718 782 -8.2% 6,149 6,536 -5.9%
border ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 81.8% 83.1% -1.3 pts 79.6% 79.8% -0.2 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 1,402 1,416 -1.0% 8,633 8,548 +1.0%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic ASMs 1,553 1,675 -7.3% 10,116 10,090 +0.3%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 90.3% 84.5% +5.8 pts 85.3% 84.7% +0.6 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 929 963 -3.5% 5,980 5,930 +0.8%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ASMs 1,076 1,126 -4.4% 7,049 7,045 +0.1%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 86.3% 85.5% +0.8 pts 84.8% 84.2% +0.6 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 440 340 +29.4% 3,883 3,155 +23.1%
Latin ----------------------------------------------------------------
America ASMs 520 410 +26.8% 4,748 3,982 +19.2%
& Other ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 84.6% 82.9% +1.7 pts 81.8% 79.2% +2.6 pts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIR CANADA'S REGIONAL CAPACITY PROVIDER
(JAZZ)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUGUST YEAR-TO-DATE
--------------------------------------------------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic
(RPMs millions) 374 412 -9.2% 2,830 2,883 -1.8%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity
(ASMs millions) 511 533 -4.1% 3,851 3,855 -0.1%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 73.2% 77.3% -4.1 pts 73.5% 74.8% -1.3 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 268 315 -14.9% 2,077 2,162 -3.9%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Canada ASMs 348 399 -12.8% 2,713 2,807 -3.3%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 77.0% 78.9% -1.9 pts 76.6% 77.0% -0.4 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 106 97 +9.3% 753 721 +4.4%
U.S. ----------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 163 134 +21.6% 1,138 1,048 +8.6%
border ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 65.0% 72.4% -7.4 pts 66.2% 68.8% -2.6 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMBINED
(AIR CANADA MAINLINE AND JAZZ)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUGUST YEAR-TO-DATE
--------------------------------------------------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic
(RPMs millions) 5,179 5,256 -1.5% 35,407 34,702 +2.0%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity
(ASMs millions) 6,135 6,272 -2.2% 43,159 42,402 +1.8%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 84.4% 83.8% +0.6 pts 82.0% 81.8% +0.2 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 1,715 1,790 -4.2% 11,262 11,133 +1.2%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Canada ASMs 2,105 2,145 -1.9% 13,959 13,701 +1.9%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 81.5% 83.4% -1.9 pts 80.7% 81.3% -0.6 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 693 747 -7.2% 5,649 5,936 -4.8%
U.S. ----------------------------------------------------------------
Trans- ASMs 881 916 -3.8% 7,287 7,584 -3.9%
border ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 78.7% 81.6% -2.9 pts 77.5% 78.3% -0.8 pts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPMs 2,771 2,719 +1.9% 18,496 17,633 +4.9%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Interna- ASMs 3,149 3,211 -1.9% 21,913 21,117 +3.8%
tional ----------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Factor 88.0% 84.7% +3.3 pts 84.4% 83.5% +0.9 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