Air Canada flew 4.1 per cent more revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in December 1999 than in the same month of 1998, according to preliminary traffic figures. Capacity increased by 7.8 per cent, resulting in a passenger load factor of 63.4 per cent, compared with 65.7 per cent in December 1998.

For the 12 months ending December 1999, the passenger load factor reached 71.4 percent compared to 70.9 percent for 1998. Traffic grew by 4.4 percent on a capacity increase of 3.8 percent.

“December`s capacity growth reflected the recent delivery of two new A330s, as well as higher aircraft utilization,” said Danielle Poudrette, Vice President, Marketing. “While traffic growth for the first three weeks of the month surpassed the capacity increase, reduced holiday travel during the millennium changeover resulted in a lower load factor for the month. On an annual basis, our capacity plan and the strong demand on international routes allowed us to achieve our highest load factor since 1990.” System cargo traffic for the month rose 11.1 per cent to 80 million revenue ton miles.

——-