Singapore Airlines pax numbers up 3% in Mar-2013, operating environment remains challenging

Singapore Airlines reports (15-Apr-2013) the following traffic highlights for Mar-2013:

• Passenger numbers: 1.6 million, +3.3% year-on-year;
• Passenger load factor: 79.3%, -0.2 ppt;
  • East Asia: 83.1%, +3.7 ppts;
  • Americas: 80.1%, +0.8 ppt;
  • Europe: 79.6%, -1.5 ppts;
  • South West Pacific: 77.4%, -3.7 ppts;
  • West Asia and Africa: 72.4%, -1.7 ppts;
• Capacity (ASKs): +3.0%. [more - original PR]

SIA: "Load factors softened across all regions except for East Asia and Americas. South West Pacific route region registered the highest PLF decline, as capacity expansion outpaced the growth in passenger carriage. The operating environment remains challenging, and efforts to stimulate demand to boost loads are expected to place continued downward pressure on yields." Source: Company statement, 15-Apr-2013.