Airlines & Routes

ExpressJet Holdings reported a third quarter loss, excluding special charges and other non-operating items, of $10 million — a $13 million improvement over third quarter 2007. Including special charges, net of taxes and a deferred tax valuation totaling $5.2 million, ExpressJet reported a net loss totaling $4.8 million.

American Airlines reported an October load factor of 79.0% a decline of 1.5 points versus the same period last year. Traffic decreased 8.8% and capacity decreased 7.0% year over year.

American Eagle reported an October load factor of 69.6%, down 3.9 points compared to the same period last year. Traffic decreased 15.5% year over year as capacity decreased 10.8%.

US Airways Group reported October 2008 traffic results. Mainline traffic for the month was down 3.6% from October 2007. Capacity was down 5.2% versus October 2007. For the third consecutive month, US Airways set a monthly record with passenger load factor of 81.9% for the month of October 2008 versus 80.5% in October 2007.

United Airlines reported its preliminary traffic results for October 2008. The company reported an October passenger load factor of 81.3% down 2.0 pts, traffic decreased in October by 9.7% and capacity decreased 9.9% compared with the same period in 2007.

Continental Airlines reported an October consolidated (mainline plus regional) load factor of 79.0%, 0.5 points below the October 2007 consolidated load factor. Consolidated traffic decreased 7.3% and capacity decreased 6.7% compared to October 2007.

Operating revenues for the quarter totaled $902 million, representing growth of 17.9% over operating revenues of $765 million in the third quarter of 2007. Operating income for the quarter was $22 million, resulting in a 2.4% operating margin, compared to operating income of $79 million and a 10.3% operating margin in the third quarter of

Iberia reported that September 2008 capacity decreased by 1.4% and traffic fell by 6.3% compared to the same month in 2007. The load factor stood at 80.6% compared to 84.8% in September 2007.

Pinnacle Airlines reported that traffic in September decreased 2%, while capacity was up 0.9% compared to the same period in 2007. The load factor for the month was 73.7%, 2.2 pts lower than in September 2007.

Finnair total traffic increased by 7.1% in September, while the capacity was up by 3.1%, resulting in a passenger load factor of 77.9% or 2.9 points higher than last year. Finnair transported altogether 745 364 passengers, which is 0.9% more than a year ago.