MONTREAL, Jan. 14 /CNW/ - Air Canada flew 4.1 per cent more revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in December 1999 than in the same month of 1998, according to preliminary traffic figures. Capacity increased by 7.8 per cent, resulting in a passenger load factor of 63.4 per cent, compared with 65.7 per cent in December 1998.
For the 12 months ending December 1999, the passenger load factor reached 71.4 percent compared to 70.9 percent for 1998. Traffic grew by 4.4 percent on a capacity increase of 3.8 percent.
``December's capacity growth reflected the recent delivery of two new A330s, as well as higher aircraft utilization,' said Danielle Poudrette, Vice President, Marketing. ``While traffic growth for the first three weeks of the month surpassed the capacity increase, reduced holiday travel during the millennium changeover resulted in a lower load factor for the month. On an annual basis, our capacity plan and the strong demand on international routes allowed us to achieve our highest load factor since 1990.' System cargo traffic for the month rose 11.1 per cent to 80 million revenue ton miles.
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SUMMARY OF UNCONSOLIDATED MONTHLY STATISTICS
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DECEMBER YEAR - TO - DATE
1999 1998 Change 1999 1998 Change
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Traffic (RPMs millions) 1,794 1,723 +4.1% 24,242 23,211 +4.4%
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Capacity
(ASMs millions) 2,829 2,624 +7.8% 33,970 32,719 +3.8%
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Load Factor 63.4% 65.7% -2.3 pts 71.4% 70.9% +0.5 pts
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RPMs 639 647 -1.2% 8,449 8,311 +1.7%
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Canada ASMs 938 908 +3.3% 11,725 11,317 +3.6%
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Load Factor 68.1% 71.3% -3.2 pts 72.1% 73.4% -1.3 pts
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RPMs 1,155 1,076 +7.3% 15,793 14,900 +6.0%
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Interna-
tional ASMs 1,891 1,716 +10.2% 22,245 21,402 +3.9%
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Load Factor 61.1% 62.7% -1.6 pts 71.0% 69.6% +1.4 pts
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System Cargo Traffic
(RTMs millions) 80 72 +11.1% 863 832 +3.7%
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For further information: Nicole Couture-Simard (Montreal), (514) 422-5788, Laura Cooke (Toronto), (416) 263-5576 or Sandie Dexter (Vancouver), (604) 643-5660, Internet: www.aircanada.ca |
