Singapore Airlines pax numbers up in Feb-2012, pax yields likely to come under pressure

Singapore Airlines reports (15-Mar-2012) the following traffic highlights in Feb-2012:

• Passenger numbers: 1.4 million, +6.5% year-on-year;
• Passenger load factor (PLF): 76.1%, +1.0 ppts;
  • East Asia: 77.1%, -1.4 ppts;
  • Americas: 73.3%, +5.0 ppts;
  • Europe: 74%, +1.5 ppts;
  • South West Pacific: 83.5%, +0.8 ppt;
  • West Asia and Africa: 70.6%, -0.3 ppt;
• SIA Cargo:
  • Cargo volume: 93,100 tonnes, +13.4%;
  • Cargo load factor: 61.9%, +0.1 ppt;
    • East Asia: 53.1%, +0.2 ppt;
    • Americas: 66.6%, +1.2 ppts;
    • Europe: 69.7%, -0.7 ppt;
    • South West Pacific: 55.8%, +4.5 ppts;
    • West Asia and Africa: 60%, -0.7 ppt. [more - original PR]

Singapore Airlines: "PLF improved 1.0 percentage point as demand for flights to and from Singapore benefited from the Singapore Airshow held between 14 and 19 Feb-2012. This was however, partially offset by a travel lull in certain markets after the Chinese New Year holidays. The operating environment remains challenging with jet fuel prices increasing 14% over the same month last year. Passenger yields are likely to come under pressure with intense competition, coupled with recent promotional fare activities," Source: Company statement, 15-Mar-2012.