TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS – April 2005


Summary of the headline figures

In April 2005, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was 1.0 per cent above April 2004 and traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres, was higher by 0.1 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load factor down 0.8 points versus last year, to 74.7 per cent. The increase in traffic comprised a 13.3 per cent increase in premium traffic and a 2.0 per cent decrease in non-premium traffic. Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, fell by 0.2 per cent. Overall load factor fell 0.7 points to 68.7 per cent.


Market conditions

Market conditions remain broadly unchanged.


Strategic Developments

British Airways announced plans to increase flights to India following a new air services agreement between the UK and Indian governments. From October 2005 it will operate a double daily service from London Heathrow to Mumbai, a new five a week to Bangalore and six a week to Chennai. From March 2006, it plans to operate a double daily service to Delhi, and daily services to Bangalore and Chennai from London Heathrow.

At the same time British Airways confirmed it will launch services to Shanghai from London Heathrow on June 1, 2005, with five services a week to Shanghai Pudong airport operated by Boeing 777 aircraft.

Another new route from London Gatwick was announced with twice weekly flights to Hassi Messaoud in Algeria from June.

Prime Minister Tony Blair signed a British Airways Boeing 747 in support of London’s bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. British Airways, a premier partner of the London 2012 bid, hopes to collect in excess of 100,000 signatures on the aircraft that will carry the bid team to Singapore for the decision vote by the International Olympic Committee.

In a speech to the Royal Aeronautical Society, British Airways’ chairman Martin Broughton said the resumption of negotiations between the EU and the USA on a new transatlantic air treaty could lead to fundamental reform of the aviation industry if it delivers a truly barrier free transatlantic market.

British Airways offered large savings on business class returns to 36 long haul destinations and 36 European cities and resorts for the summer holidays.

British Airways terminated its franchise agreement with Air Kenya Aviation Ltd, which traded as Regional Air. The decision followed the Kenyan based airline’s suspension of flights operated as part of the franchise agreement.

British Airways is to appeal against an employment tribunal ruling after losing an indirect sex discrimination claim from a female pilot. The first officer had requested a reduction in flying hours to a 50 per cent contract but the airline said it could only offer her a 75 per cent contract instead. The airline argued at the tribunal and will argue again at the appeal hearing that all pilots, male and female, must have at least 2,000 flying hours’ experience before being permitted to work less than 75 per cent of a full time contract. This policy is based on safety grounds and is not a gender issue.



May 5, 2005