FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
Report of Foreign Issuer
Furnished Pursuant to Rule 13a - 16 or 15d - 16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the period ending 9 June 2003
BRITISH AIRWAYS Plc
Waterside HBA3, PO Box 365, Harmondsworth UB7 0GB
CONTENTS
1. May Traffic and Capacity Statistics
4 June 2003
2. Annual Report and Accounts
9 June 2003
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorised.
BRITISH AIRWAYS Plc
Date: 9 June 2003
Sarah Billington Manager Shareholder Services
TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - May 2003
Summary of the headline figures
In May 2003, overall load factor rose 3.2 points to 66.7 per cent. Passenger capacity,
measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was 1.5 per cent below May 2002 and traffic,
measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres, was higher by 2.1 per cent. This resulted in a
passenger load factor up 2.5 points versus last year, to 69.4 per cent. The increase in
traffic comprised a 9.1% per cent reduction in premium traffic and a 4.4 per cent increase
in non-premium traffic. Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, rose by 3.4 per cent.
Market conditions
Passenger numbers and traffic were up this month, driven principally by post war pent up
demand and promotional campaigns. Yields continue to be under pressure from price
discounting and down trading across all areas. Forward visibility on revenue and traffic
remains limited with considerable volatility in booking levels.
Strategic Developments
British Airways signed an agreement to sell its wholly owned German subsidiary dba
(formerly Deutsche BA) to Intro Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, the Nuremburg-based aviation
consultancy and investment company.
Intro will buy the entire share capital of dba for euro 1. As part of the transaction,
British Airways will invest £25 million (euro 35 million) in dba and will also
underwrite the German carrier's fleet of 16 aircraft for one year, at a cost of
£2 million (euro 3 million) per month. In exchange, British Airways will receive
25 per cent of any dba profits, or 25 per cent of any profit on disposal of dba, up to
June 2006.
The US Department of Transportation gave final approval to the British Airways and
American Airlines codesharing application on destinations beyond British Airways' US
gateway cities and American Airline's UK gateways. The move marks a significant milestone
in the relationship which will allow greater access to more online destinations, improve
transfer and check-in processes.
British Airways posted a pre-tax profit of £135 million (2002:
£200 million loss) for the full year to March 31, 2003. There was a pre-tax loss
for the fourth quarter of £200 million (2002: £85 million loss). The
operating profit for the full year was £295 million including an £84
million exceptional operating charge relating to Concorde. The operating loss for the
fourth quarter was £164 million, £119 million worse than last year.
In its response to the government's consultation on airport infrastructure, BA called for
a new short runway to be built at London Heathrow airport to give Britain maximum economic
benefit from an effective international hub airport that would boost the UK economy by
£37 billion. It would also create additional capacity to provide better air links
for regions throughout the UK.
British Airways announced the withdrawal of services between Guernsey and London Gatwick
airport from 16 June 2003. The services will be continued by Aurigny Air Services who will
begin flying on the route the day after the British Airways service ceases. British
Airways decision to withdraw from Guernsey has been made because the 66-seater ATR 72
aircraft which operate on the route will be retired and returned to its leasing company
this summer.
British Airways announced the withdrawal of its services to Plymouth and Newquay from
London Gatwick and Bristol airports from 25 October 2003. The three times a day Plymouth
to Newcastle service will also be withdrawn and the Dash 8 fleet move to Manchester.
June 4, 2003
BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS
Month of May Financial year to date April through May
BRITISH AIRWAYS GROUP Change
Change
SCHEDULED SERVICES 2003 2002 (%)
2003 2002
(%)
Passengers carried (000)
UK/Europe 2293 2301 -0.4
4520 4511
+0.2
Americas 583 542 +7.5
1140 1077
+5.9
Asia Pacific 80 119 -33.1
170 243
-30.2
Africa and Middle East 200 181 +10.1
385 387
-0.5
Total 3155 3144 +0.3
6214 6217
-0.0
Revenue passenger km (m)
UK/Europe 1870 1799 +4.0
3651 3519
+3.8
Americas 3917 3637 +7.7
7683 7259
+5.8
Asia Pacific 880 1214 -27.5
1867 2480
-24.7
Africa and Middle East 1355 1205
+12.5 2659
2588 +2.7
Total 8023 7855 +2.1
15860 15846
+0.1
Available seat km (m)
UK/Europe 2837 2686 +5.6
5566 5324
+4.5
Americas 5147 5343 -3.7
10200 10542
-3.2
Asia Pacific 1595 1735 -8.1
3231 3375
-4.3
Africa and Middle East 1984 1975
+0.4 3927
4008 -2.0
Total 11564 11740 -1.5
22925 23249
-1.4
Passenger load factor (%)
UK/Europe 65.9 67.0 -1.1
pts 65.6 66.1
-0.5 pts
Americas 76.1 68.1 +8.0
pts 75.3 68.9
+6.4 pts
Asia Pacific 55.2 69.9 -14.7
pts 57.8 73.5
-15.7 pts
Africa and Middle East 68.3 61.0
+7.3 pts 67.7
64.6 +3.1 pts
Total 69.4 66.9 +2.5
pts 69.2 68.2
+1.0 pts
Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)
Cargo tonne km (CTK) 375 363 +3.4
706 695
+1.6
Total RTK 1175 1145 +2.6
2285 2272
+0.6
Available tonne km (m) 1761 1804
-2.4 3483
3570 -2.4
Overall load factor (%) 66.7 63.5
+3.2 pts 65.6
63.6 +2.0 pts
Certain information included in this statement is forward-looking and involves risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or
implied by the forward looking statements.
Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, projections relating to results of
operations and financial conditions and the Companys plans and objectives for future
operations, including, without limitation, discussions of the Companys Future Size and
Shape programme, expected future revenues, financing plans and expected expenditures and
divestments. All forward-looking statements in this report are based upon information
known to the Company on the date of this report. The Company undertakes no obligation to
publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
It is not reasonably possible to itemise all of the many factors and specific events that
could cause the Companys forward looking statements to be incorrect or that could
otherwise have a material adverse effect on the future operations or results of an airline
operating in the global economy. Information on some factors which could result in
material difference to the results is available in the Companys SEC filings, including,
without limitation the Companys Report on Form 20-F for the year ended March 2002.
Investor Relations
Waterside (HCB3)
PO Box 365
Harmondsworth
UB7 OGB
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8738 6947
Fax: +44( 0) 20 8738 9602