JetBlue slips on disappointing Feb-2009 traffic; Continental slips, WestJet slumps
The majority of North and South American carriers witnessed a decline in stocks on Tuesday (16-Mar-2010), as oil prices (+2.4%) rebounded, to USD81.70. The fall was despite gains in the wider market, with the Dow (+0.4%) up as the US Federal Reserve maintained benchmark rates near zero, and again pledged to keep them low for an extended period. Stocks also gained on news EU ministers agreed to provide capital to Greece to boost it out of its sovereign debt, if required.
JetBlue slips on disappointing Feb-2009 traffic
JetBlue (-0.6%) slipped as load factors remained stable for Feb-2010, at 74.5%. Revenue passenger numbers were also relatively flat, gaining only 0.1% year-on-year, to 1.6 million, as a result of the Feb-2010 storms.
Continental also down despite price target upgrade
Continental Airlines (-0.3%) also slipped, despite analysts at Jesup & Lamont raising the carrier's price target from USD22 to USD26, citing plans to charge for meals. The analysts stated the move would drive Continental's ancillary revenues higher, and should save the carrier USD35 million p/a in food costs. Jesup & Lamont also maintained its 'Buy' rating for the carrier's stock.
WestJet falls on CEO resignation
WestJet (-4.0%) took the day's biggest fall, after CEO, Sean Dufry, announced his resignation the day prior. See related article: Durfy a loss to WestJet at a vital time; 'New World Carriers' moving to the next level
Competitor Air Canada (+3.0%) was one of the day's biggest gainers as a result. Republic Airways (+4.0%) was also down.
BTS reports 2.9% decline in employment numbers for Jan-2010
US Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) meanwhile announced during trading that US scheduled passenger airlines employed 2.9% fewer workers year-on-year in Jan-2010, the 19th consecutive decrease in full-time equivalent employee (FTE) levels for the scheduled passenger carriers.
All network airlines reported declines in staff numbers, expect for Delta Air Lines (+2.5%), which reported a 3.3% year-on-year increase, as staff from Northwest Airlines were included for the first time. Southwest Airlines (+1.4%) was the only LCC to report a decrease in staff for the month, with FTE staff levels falling 2.1%.
Also in today's America Airline Daily:
- American Airlines files temporary exemption with DoT;
- Delta Air Lines to consolidate operations at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport;
- Senator seeking to add airline fee disclosure to Senate Aviation Bill;
- United Airlines launches mobile check-in capabilities;
- Canada's Transportation Safety Board issues list of nine "critical safety issues".
North & South America selected airlines daily share price movements (% change): 16-Mar-2010
Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation & Yahoo! Finance