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 5 April 2004
BRITISH AIRWAYS Plc
Waterside HBA3, PO Box 365, Harmondsworth UB7 0GB
CONTENTS
|
|
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: |
5 April 2004 |
||
|
Sarah Billington Manager Shareholder Services |
TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - March 2004
Summary of the headline figures
Comparisons of March 2004 traffic and capacity statistics with March 2003 must take into account the weak base due to the impact of the war with Iraq and SARS.
In March 2004, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was 5.8 per cent above March 2003 and traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres, was higher by 12.7 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load factor up 4.5 points versus last year, to 74.0 per cent. The increase in traffic comprised a 23.6 per cent increase in premium traffic and a 10.9 per cent increase in non-premium traffic. Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, rose by 21.8 per cent. Overall load factor rose 4.6 points to 70.3 per cent.
For the January - March quarter, ASKs increased by 6.4 per cent, with RPKs rising by 7.8 per cent. This resulted in an increase in passenger load factor of 0.9 points, to 70.7 points. This comprised a 11.4 per cent increase in premium traffic and 7.2 per cent increase in non-premium traffic. CTKs rose by 21.3 per cent.
Market conditions
Market conditions are unchanged. Longhaul premium volumes continue above last year's levels, and shorthaul premium remains weak. Non-premium traffic volumes remain very sensitive to yield.
In 2003, March and April were the months worst affected by the war in Iraq and SARS. Premium traffic was down about 25% in both months. The major effect of war and SARS did not continue beyond the summer.
Costs
As a result of Yen depreciation against sterling, there will be a non-cash accounting credit of £2 million in the fourth quarter financial results.
Strategic Developments
British Airways launched the second and final phase of its Heathrow flight switch programme. From March 28, seven shorthaul services transferred from Heathrow Terminal 1 to Terminal 4: Brussels, Copenhagen, Geneva, Lyon, Oslo, Vienna and Zurich. Moving the other way, from Heathrow Terminal 4 to Terminal 1, were Athens, Hong Kong, Moscow (Domodedovo), Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The switching of carefully selected flights at Heathrow make it more convenient for many of the airline's transfer passengers to connect between longhaul and shorthaul flights without changing terminals at the airport. To support the additional longhaul services at Terminal 1, British Airways has invested in a range of new facilities for its customers, including a new dedicated check-in zone for premium passengers and new arrivals and departure lounges.
British Airways' customers are now able to manage their own travel plans at every stage of their journey from the comfort of their own computer. The latest part of the new system to be launched on ba.com enables customers to request their own seats and special meals after they have booked a flight via their very own unique webpage.
April 5, 2004
BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Month of March |
Financial year |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
April through March |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
BRITISH AIRWAYS GROUP |
Change |
Change |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
SCHEDULED SERVICES |
2004 |
2003 |
(%) |
|
2004 |
2003 |
(%) |
||||||||||||||
|
Passengers carried (000) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
UK/Europe |
1933 |
1900 |
+1.8 |
24331 |
24550 |
-0.9 |
|||||||||||||||
|
Americas |
621 |
548 |
+13.2 |
7096 |
6672 |
+6.4 |
|||||||||||||||
|
Asia Pacific |
138 |
120 |
+15.0 |
1482 |
1552 |
-4.5 |
|||||||||||||||
|
Africa and Middle East |
256 |
199 |
+28.1 |
2835 |
2568 |
+10.4 |
|||||||||||||||
|
Total |
2948 |
2768 |
+6.5 |
35744 |
35341 |
+1.1 |
|||||||||||||||
|
Revenue passenger km (m) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
UK/Europe |
1686 |
1492 |
+13.0 |
21156 |
19762 |
+7.1 |
|||||||||||||||
|
Americas |
4080 |
3731 |
+9.4 |
46777 |
45048 |
+3.8 |
|||||||||||||||
|
Asia Pacific |
1435 |
1251 |
+14.8 |
15642 |
15895 |
-1.6 |
|||||||||||||||
|
Africa and Middle East |
1720 |
1444 |
+19.1 |
19013 |
17471 |
+8.8 |
|||||||||||||||
|
Total |
8921 |
7918 |
+12.7 |
102588 |
98177 |
+4.5 |
|||||||||||||||
|
Available seat km (m) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
UK/Europe |
2593 |
2401 |
+8.0 |
31618 |
29509 |
+7.1 |
|||||||||||||||
|
Americas |
5235 |
5156 |
+1.5 |
61932 |
61528 |
+0.7 |
|||||||||||||||
|
Asia Pacific |
1881 |
1739 |
+8.2 |
21372 |
20659 |
+3.5 |
|||||||||||||||
|
Africa and Middle East |
2343 |
2100 |
+11.6 |
25715 |
24603 |
+4.5 |
|||||||||||||||
|
Total |
12052 |
11396 |
+5.8 |
140637 |
136299 |
+3.2 |
|||||||||||||||
|
Passenger load factor (%) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
UK/Europe |
65.0 |
62.2 |
+2.8 |
pts |
66.9 |
67.0 |
-0.1 |
pts |
|||||||||||||
|
Americas |
77.9 |
72.4 |
+5.5 |
pts |
75.5 |
73.2 |
+2.3 |
pts |
|||||||||||||
|
Asia Pacific |
76.3 |
71.9 |
+4.4 |
pts |
73.2 |
76.9 |
-3.7 |
pts |
|||||||||||||
|
Africa and Middle East |
73.4 |
68.8 |
+4.6 |
pts |
73.9 |
71.0 |
+2.9 |
pts |
|||||||||||||
|
Total |
74.0 |
69.5 |
+4.5 |
pts |
72.9 |
72.0 |
+0.9 |
pts |
|||||||||||||
|
Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cargo tonne km (CTK) |
436 |
358 |
+21.8 |
4464 |
4204 |
+6.2 |
|||||||||||||||
|
Total RTK |
1322 |
1148 |
+15.1 |
14722 |
14035 |
+4.9 |
|||||||||||||||
|
Available tonne km (m) |
1880 |
1748 |
+7.5 |
21783 |
21012 |
+3.7 |
|||||||||||||||
|
Overall load factor (%) |
70.3 |
65.7 |
+4.6 |
pts |
67.6 |
66.8 |
+0.8 |
pts |
|||||||||||||
* Comparative numbers from 1 July 2002 have been adjusted to remove the impact of dba following its disposal on 30 June 2003
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 Company's plans and objectives for future operations, including, without limitation, discussions of the Company's '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 Company's 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 Company's SEC filings, including, without limitation the Company's Report on Form 20-F for the year ended March 2003.
Investor Relations
Waterside (HCB3)
PO Box 365
Harmondsworth
UB7 OGB
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8738 6947
Fax: +44( 0) 20 8738 9602