Airlines & Routes

Air France KLM reported that traffic increased 0.5% in September 2008 and capacity increased 2.2% compared to the same month in 2007. The load factor stood at 80.9%, down 1.4 points.

BA reported that in September 2008, passenger capacity was 0.8% above September 2007 and that traffic fell by 4.8%. This resulted in a passenger load factor decrease of 4.3 points versus last year, to 74.0%. Traffic comprised an 8.6% decrease in premium traffic and a 4.1% fall in non-premium traffic.

easyJet reported that traffic increased 22.1% in September compared to the same period in 2007 and the load factor for the month increased 1.8 pts to 86.9%.

SAS Group’s traffic decreased by 6.7% during September and seat capacity was up 1,7% vs 2007. SAS Group carried 3.3 million passengers in September, down 8.4% vs 2007 and the total load factor was down by 6.3 pts to 69.6%.

JetBlue Airways reported that its traffic in September decreased 4.8% from September 2007, on a capacity decrease of 11.5%. Load factor for September 2008 was 76.7%, an increase of 5.3 points from September 2007.

WestJet released September traffic statistics, announcing a load factor of 75.5 %. This was accompanied by an increase in traffic of 11.0% and growth in capacity of 15.8%. Over the month, 46,573 more guests were flown compared to September 2007.

American Airlines reported a September load factor of 76.6%, a decline of 1.8 points versus the same period last year. Traffic decreased 9.1% and capacity decreased 7.0% year over year.

Alaska’s September traffic increased 0.2%, capacity during September was 5.0% lower than the 1.988 billion in September 2007. The passenger load factor for the month was 75.8%, 4.0 points higher than the 71.8 percent in September 2007.

Continental Airlines reported a September consolidated (mainline plus regional) load factor of 76.5%, 2.5 points below the September 2007 consolidated load factor. Consolidated traffic decreased 10.9% and capacity decreased of 8.1% as compared to September 2007.

Southwest Airlines reported that traffic in September 2008 decreased 5.9% compared to September 2007, capacity increased 0.8 % and the load factor for the month was 63.4%, compared to 67.9% for the same period last year.