Summary of the headline figures
Capacity in February, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was 10.0 per cent below February 2000, which was a leap year. The additional day last year accounted for around an additional 3.5 percentage points of ASKs and RPKs. Traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres, fell by 7.7 per cent. This comprised a 3.9 per cent decline in premium traffic, following an 11.7 per cent increase last February, and an 8.4 per cent fall in non-premium traffic. Passenger load factor of 66.1 per cent was 1.6 points better than February 2000, with seat factors improving in every region. Cargo, measured in Revenue Tonne Kilometres, decreased by 6.3 per cent.

Market conditions
Although there is some evidence of softer trading conditions, the outlook remains positive. Load factors are stable, with any declines in traffic being broadly matched by the current capacity reduction plans. Club World continued to grow during February against a very strong performance last year, and indeed the outlook for travel in this cabin still gives cause for encouragement.

Strategic developments
British Airways launched a new on-line business travel management portal, Your Travel Manager, which will deliver significant savings to small businesses by implementing more effective travel policies. The easy to use system gives small to medium sized companies access to a one-stop shop for booking hotels, car-hire and airline travel and enables the company to access competitive fares and save on administrative costs.

British Airways announced a new range of benefits for passengers flying within the UK. British Airways is now offering its full fare passengers the opportunity to choose their seats at the time of booking and lounge access at selected destinations across the UK.

British Airways re-opened its First class lounge at London Heathrow’s Terminal 4 for premium passengers. A new Concorde Room also opened in the airline’s Lounge Pavilion at Terminal 4, designed by Sir Terence Conran, in anticipation of a resumption of supersonic services later this year. The First lounge offers an environment that is elegant, calm and welcoming, a home-from-home space.

oneworld celebrated its second anniversary and announced the appointment of Maunu von Lueders as Vice-President Sales, charged with building revenue earned through oneworld by its member airlines. Maunu is currently Vice-President Alliances and International Relations at Finnair.

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