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Southwest and United Continental reports PRASM increases in April

Analysis

United Continental Holdings reported a 2.3% decline in passenger numbers to 11.7 million in Apr-2011, while Southwest reported a 0.4% increase, to 7.5 million.

United Continental's RPMs and load factors were as follows:

  • Passenger traffic (RPMs): +1.1%;
  • Passenger load factor: 80.3%, -1.7 ppts;
    • North America: 84.7%, -0.6 ppt;
    • International: 77%, -2.5 ppts;
    • Atlantic: 78.3%, -1.8 ppts;
    • Pacific: 75.4%, -3.8 ppts;
    • Latin America: 76.6%, -2.6 ppts.

United Continental stated its combined consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) increased an estimated 8.0 to 9.0% compared with Apr-2010. Its shares fell 0.5% yesterday.

Southwest Airlines estimates its PRASM rose 4-5% last month. The LCC reported the following traffic highlights in Apr-2011:

  • Revenue passenger numbers: 7.5 million, +0.4% year-on-year;
  • Enplaned passengers: 9.2 million, +3.5%;
  • Passenger load factor: 79.7%, +0.9 ppt;
  • Number of flights: 96,683, +3.2%.

Southwest's shares gained 1.7%.

Selected American airlines daily share price movements (% change): 06-May-2011

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