British Airways traffic declines in February - Heathrow Airport News

Airport news for Heathrow on 05/03/2009.

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Although passenger traffic decreased, the carrier reported that its planes were fuller in February.

Passenger traffic, as measured by revenue passenger kilometres, fell by 8.3 per cent when compared with February of 2008. A sharp drop of 20.2 per cent in premium passenger traffic led the decline.

Non-premium, or economy-class, traffic showed a decline of 5.5 per cent.

Capacity for the month of February dropped by nine per cent, and passenger numbers overall fell by 10 per cent, down to 2.1 million.

According to the airline, the figures are somewhat distorted by the fact that February was one day shorter in 2009 than in 2008.

The load factor, which is a measure of how full a carrier’s planes are, increased to 72 per cent for the month, as compared with 71.5 per cent the previous February.

Cargo traffic continued is downward trend, falling by 20.7 per cent.

British Airways reported that the trading environment remained largely the same, and was in line with earlier expectations.

At its investor day on Thursday, the airline may reveal more detailed guidance.

In February, the airline indicated that a loss of 240 million pounds was likely for the fourth quarter, ending 31 March.

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