SAS Group passenger numbers up 7.3% for Aug-2010

SAS Group passenger numbers up 7.3% - traffic highlights in Aug-2010:

• Passenger numbers: 2.2 million, +7.3% year-on-year;
  • Scandinavian Airlines: 1.9 million, +7.1%
  • Widroe: 190,000, +9.9%
  • Blue1: 129,000, +6.7%;
• Load factor: 78.2%, +2.0 ppt;
  • Scandinavian Airlines: 79.3%, +2.3 ppt;
  • Wideroe: 62.1%, -0.4 ppt;
  • Blue1: 70.7%, +1.2 ppt;
• Jul-2010 yield:
  • Scandinavian Airlines: -3.4%;
• Jul-2010 revenue per ASK:
  • Scandinavian Airlines: +0.7%. [more]

SAS Group: "The yield is affected negatively by a route mix effect from the relatively strong performance on intercontinental routes versus short-haul routes, but also due to overcapacity and price pressure in some markets. The RASK outlook for August is uncertain and indicate continued stable RASK versus last year. The yield change for August is expected to be negative.The market continues to be unpredictable but a recovery has been noted on both intercontinental routes and certain short-haul routes, however the uncertainty still remains in particular on the yield development going forward. SAS has as a result initiated yield enhancing measures to offset the negative yield development. The implementation of the core SAS strategy including cost-saving initiatives is on track," Company Statement. Source: SAS Group, 07-Sep-2010.