Singapore Airlines pax numbers up 5% in Feb-2013, operating environment remains challenging

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

• Passenger numbers: 1.4 million, +5.1% year-on-year;
• Passenger load factor: 78.2%, +2.1 ppts;
  • East Asia: 80%, +2.9 ppts;
  • Americas: 77.6%, +4.3 ppts;
  • Europe: 76.4%, +2.4 ppts;
  • South West Pacific: 82.1%, -1.4 ppts;
  • West Asia and Africa: 71.3%, +0.7 ppt;
• Capacity (ASKs): +2.4%. [more - original PR]

SIA: "Benefiting from the Lunar New Year holidays, PLF improved across all route regions except for South West Pacific. PLF for South West Pacific declined as growth in passenger carriage was outpaced by capacity increases. The operating environment remains challenging, and continued efforts to boost loads are expected to place downward pressure on yields." Source: Company statement, 15-Mar-2013.