Delta Air Lines pax numbers down 1% in Dec-2012, PRASM up 4%. 165m pax in 2012

Delta Air Lines reports (03-Jan-2013) the following traffic highlights:

• Dec-2012:
  • Passenger numbers: 12.5 million, -0.8% year-on-year;
    • Revenue passenger miles: +0.5%;
    • Domestic: -0.8%;
    • International: +2.4%;
    • Latin America: +12.4%;
    • Europe: -4.3%;
    • Asia Pacific: +6.5%;
  • Passenger load factor: 82.7%, +1.8 ppts;
    • Domestic: 81.5%, +0.8 ppt;
    • International: 84.6%, +3.4 ppts;
    • Latin America: 83.1%, +3.3 ppts;
    • Europe: 84.7%, +2.8 ppts;
    • Asia Pacific: 85.4%, +4.4 ppts;
  • Consolidated PRASM: +4.0%;
• 12 months ended Dec-2012:
  • Passenger numbers: 164.6 million, +0.4%;
  • Revenue passenger miles: +0.1%;
    • Domestic: -0.3%;
    • International: +0.7%;
    • Latin America: +5.7%;
    • Europe: -3.7%;
    • Asia Pacific: +5.9%;
  • Passenger load factor: 83.7%, +1.6 ppts;
    • Domestic: 84%, +0.8 ppt;
    • International: 83.3%, +2.6 ppts;
    • Latin America: 81.6%, +2.8 ppts;
    • Europe: 84.1%, +2.8 ppts;
    • Asia Pacific: 83.2%, +2.6 ppts. [more - original PR]

Delta: "For the month of December, Delta's unit revenues improved 4% versus prior year, driven by strong holiday demand, merchandising revenue growth and continued capacity discipline." Source: Company statement, 03-Jan-2013.