Hainan Airlines' March passenger traffic dips below 2010 level, cargo also down
Hainan Airlines announced a 3.5% slide in passenger numbers in Mar-2011 to just under 1.5 million. Cargo volume slumped 6% to 22,113 tonnes. The airline did not disclose any reasons for the reductions.
- Hainan Airlines experienced a 3.5% decline in passenger numbers and a 6% drop in cargo volume in March 2011.
- The airline's share price has remained relatively stable in recent months, despite rising fuel prices.
- Although passenger numbers were down compared to the previous year, they were still higher than the levels in the first quarter of 2009.
- Hainan Airlines has adopted a more cautious approach to capacity expansion in recent months.
- The airline has maintained strong passenger load factors, with a slight increase to 82.4% in March 2011.
- Cargo volumes have declined for two consecutive months, indicating a potential trend to monitor in the future.
The carrier's share price has been virtually flat for the past two and a half months, having fallen from highs around the end of last year as fuel prices have risen.
Hainan Airlines share price over the past 6 months
Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation and Yahoo! Financial
Hainan's passenger numbers, while down year-on-year, are well above the depressed levels of 1Q2009, according to CAPA's online airline traffic database. NB: CAPA now offers monthly traffic data on-demand for 24 Chinese airlines on its company profiles: Air China, Beijing Capital Airlines, Chengdu Airlines, China Eastern, China Express Airlines, China Southern, China United Airlines, Chongqing Airlines, Daily Air, Grand China Air, Hainan Airlines, Hebei Airlines, Joy Air, Juneyao Airlines, Kunming Airlines, Lucky Air, Shandong Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Spring Airlines, Tianjin Airlines, West Air, Xiamen Airlines.
In total, CAPA offers traffic data (individually downloadable to excel) for over 130 airlines worldwide, which is available for CAPA Members. Sign-up for a free trial today.
Hainan Airlines' monthly total passenger numbers: Jan-2009 to Mar-2011
Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation & company reports
Hainan Airlines has taken a much more cautious approach to capacity expansion in recent months, following strong increases in the first five months of 2010.
Hainan Airlines' monthly capacity (ASKs): Jan-2009 to Mar-2011
Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation & company reports
Passenger load factors have been strong as a result, most recently edging up 0.1% in Mar-2011 to 82.4%. Load factors have dipped below 80% only twice since Jan-2010.
Hainan Airlines' monthly passenger load factors (%): Jan-2009 to Mar-2011
Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation & company reports
Cargo volumes fell 6% last month to 22,113 tonnes, representing the second consecutive monthly reduction - and definitely something to watch in coming months.
Hainan Airlines' monthly cargo volumes ('000s, tonnes): Jan-2009 to Mar-2011
Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation & company reports