Continental pax up 1.8% in Dec-2009, RASM down 4.5%

Continental Airlines passenger numbers up 1.8% - consolidated traffic highlights:

• Dec-2009:
  • Passenger numbers: 5.3 million, +1.8% year-on-year;
  • Passenger traffic (RPMs): +6.0%;
    • Domestic: +3.5%;
    • International: +9.6%;
      • Trans-Atlantic: +5.8%;
      • Latin America: +8.0%;
      • Asia Pacific: +22.6%;
  • Passenger load factor: 83.0%, +3.1 ppts;
    • Domestic: 85.1%, +1.1 ppt;
    • International: 81.9%, +5.2 ppts;
      • Trans-Atlantic: 84.3%, +8.8 ppts;
      • Latin America: 81.0%, +1.2 ppt;
      • Asia Pacific: 78.3%, +4.0 ppts;
  • Cargo traffic (FTKs): +35.3%;
  • Passenger revenue per ASM*: -3.5% to -4.5%;
    • Mainline: -4.5% to -5.5%;
• 12 months ended 31-Dec-2009:
  • Passenger numbers: 62.8 million, -5.8%;
  • Passenger traffic (RPMs): -3.8%;
    • Domestic: -5.3%;
    • International: -1.8%;
      • Trans-Atlantic: -5.9%;
      • Latin America: +0.1%;
      • Asia Pacific: +7.2%;
  • Passenger load factor: 81.4%, +1.2 ppt;
    • Domestic: 84.8%, +1.5 ppt;
    • International: 79.2%, +1.0 ppt;
      • Trans-Atlantic: 79.7%, +2.6 ppts;
      • Latin America: 81.2%, -0.6 ppt;
      • Asia Pacific: 75.1%, -0.9 ppt;
  • Cargo traffic (FTKs): -5.6%. [more][more - Perspective]

*Estimates

Continental Airlines: "For December 2009, consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (RASM) is estimated to have decreased between 3.5 and 4.5 percent compared to December 2008, while mainline RASM is estimated to have decreased between 4.5 and 5.5 percent. For November 2009, consolidated passenger RASM decreased 8.5 percent compared to November 2008, while mainline passenger RASM decreased 9.8 percent compared to November 2008," Company statement. Source: Continental Airlines, 04-Jan-2010.