Air New Zealand RASK and yields fall in first two months of 2017

Air New Zealand provided (21-Mar-2017) the following operational update for Feb-2017:

• Short haul:
• • Domestic capacity outstripped demand due to increased services on Auckland-Queenstown and main trunk routes, as well as growth on regional routes from upgauging to larger aircraft. Domestic load factor decreased 0.5ppts to 83.2%;
  • Tasman/Pacific demand decreased 2.2% while capacity increased by 4.1%, due to the upgauging to larger aircraft on several Pacific Island routes. Load factor on Tasman/Pacific decreased 4.9ppts to 78.1%, as Tasman routes continue to be impacted by additional market capacity compared to 2015;
  • For the financial year to date, short haul passenger revenue per ASK decreased 6.6%;

• Long haul:
• • Passenger capacity outstripped demand for Feb-2017, sending load factor down 2.1ppts;
  • Americas/UK: Demand decreased by 0.8% and capacity decreased 1.2% due to reduced frequency on Auckland-Los Angeles route, partially offset by increased capacity to Houston and Buenos Aires. Load factor rose 0.3ppts to 83.3%;
  • Asia/Japan/Singapore: Demand increased 9.1%, capacity rose 17.2%, reflecting additional frequency to Shanghai over the Chinese New Year holiday and the new Auckland-Osaka seasonal service. Load factor decreased 6.1ppts to 80.1%;
• For the financial year to date:
• • Short haul passenger RASK decreased 6.6%;
  • Long haul passenger RASK decreased 14.6%;
  • Group-wide RASK decreased 9.0%;
  • Group-wide yields decreased 7.3%. [more - original PR]