United Airlines and EGYPTAIR have signed an agreement to offer codeshare flights, which would expand the international destinations and enhance the frequent flyer benefits offered to customers of both carriers. Beginning in summer 2009, United will place its code on EGYPTAIR flights linking New York Kennedy and London Heathrow with Cairo.
Air France-KLM reported that due to the Air France strike from 14 to 17 November 2008 traffic declined by 0.8% in line with capacity (-0.7%). The load factor was virtually stable at 78.3% (-0.1 pt). The group carried 5.6 million passengers (-5.2%).
Starting on 19 January 2009, Air France will be expanding services to Switzerland by offering a new destination, Bern, with 2 daily flights from Monday to Friday and 1 flight on Saturday and Sunday. These flights will leave from Paris-Orly and will be operated by Airlinair in ATR42, equipped with 48 seats.
BA released that in November 2008 passenger capacity was 3.1% below November 2007, traffic fell by 5.9% and the load factor decreased 2.2 points versus last year, to 74.4%. Traffic comprised a 10.8% decrease in premium traffic and a 4.8% fall in non-premium traffic.
easyJet reported that November traffic increased 3.4% compared to November 2007 and that the load factor increased 3.1 pts, to 83.9%.
Ryanair released that November 2008 traffic grew 11% compared to the previous year and that the load factor for the month was up 1 pt to 79%.
SAS Group’s traffic decreased by 12.9% during November and capacity was down 11.0% vs 2007. Total passenger load factor was down by 1.4 p.u. to 64.5%.
American Airlines reported a November load factor of 76.6%, a decline of 4.6 points versus the same period last year. Traffic decreased 14.5% and capacity decreased 9.3% year over year.
American Eagle reported a November load factor of 67.3% – down 4.8 points compared to the same period last year. Traffic decreased 21.5% year over year as capacity decreased 15.9%.
US Airways Group reported November and year-to-date 2008 traffic results. Mainline traffic was down 6.9% from November 2007, capacity was down 6.1% versus November 2007 and the load factor for the month of November was 77.7%, down 0.7 points versus November 2007.
