MONTREAL, April 9 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada mainline flew 10.1 per cent
fewer revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in March 2003 than in March 2002,
according to preliminary traffic figures. Capacity decreased by 5.5 per cent,
resulting in a load factor of 74.3 per cent, compared to 78.1 per cent in
March 2002; a decrease of 3.8 percentage points.
Jazz, Air Canada`s regional airline subsidiary, flew 0.8 per cent more
revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in March 2003 than in March 2002, according to
preliminary traffic figures. Capacity decreased by 7.9 per cent, resulting in
a load factor of 60.2 per cent, compared to 55.0 per cent in March 2002; an
increase of 5.2 percentage points.
“While North American competitive conditions continue to be difficult,
the war in Iraq together with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) have
further suppressed the demand for air travel, particularly internationally.
Current concern over the SARS outbreak in Toronto is having a material impact
on traffic levels to and through Toronto. The timing of Easter this year, in
April rather than March, also accounted for some of the year over year traffic
decline,” said Rob Peterson, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer.
“To better match supply with demand we are reducing our system ASM
capacity by 12% in April and 16% in May,” said Mr. Peterson.
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