British Airways pax numbers down 1.2% in Jul-2009, premium falls ease

British Airways passenger numbers down 1.2% - traffic highlights in Jul-2009:

• Passenger numbers: 3.2 million, -1.2% year-on-year;
  • UK/Europe: 2.0 million, -3.1%;
  • Trans-Atlantic: 748,000, +2.9%;
  • Asia Pacific: 151,000, -11.4%;
  • Africa & Middle East: 318,000, +8.1%;
• Passenger load factor: 84.6%, +3.1 ppts;
  • UK/Europe: 80.6%, +2.2 ppts;
  • Trans-Atlantic: 87.5%, +5.4 ppts;
  • Asia Pacific: 88.7%, +1.2 ppt;
  • Africa & Middle East: 79.4%, +0.9 ppt. [more - Perspective]

British Airways: "Traffic comprised an 11.0% decrease in premium traffic and a 3.5% increase in non-premium traffic. Underlying volumes and seat factors stabilised during the first quarter and are expected to improve in the peak summer months. Yields will be under pressure from the year on year impact of lower fuel surcharges, exchange movements and mix. Yield uncertainty continues to make revenue forecasting difficult. Based on current fuel prices and exchange rates the full year fuel bill is expected to be between GBP450 million and GBP500 million lower than last year," Company statement. Source: British Airways, 05-Aug-2009.