STOCKHOLM, Sweden, April 7, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The SAS Group:
- Total passenger traffic (RPK) increased by 4.5% in March 2005 vs 2004.
- The SAS Group transported 2.7 million passengers in March 2005, a decrease of 2.9%, negatively affected by the Easter holiday (in April 2004).
- Overall group passenger load factor increased by 1.7 p.u. to 64.0% for March 2005 vs. 2004.
Group market trends and yield development
Group total traffic volumes (RPK) developed well in March with an increase in March of 4.5%. Capacity (ASK) increased by 1.8% resulting in an improved load factor of +1.7 p.u.
Yield for Scandinavian Airlines in February 2005 was up by 3% vs. 2004 due to improved yield management and full effect of fuel charges. Yield for March will be reported next month, and is expected to be slightly negative primarily due to the effect of the Easter holiday and lower prices especially on European routes out from Copenhagen.
Capacity on intercontinental routes, was not fully met and load factor was down 2.9 p.u. vs last year.
SAS Group European traffic increased and passenger load factor improved by 3.6 p.u. SAS Braathens traffic decreased by 3.2% mainly due to the Easter holiday as capacity was reduced by 9.8%. Scandinavian Airlines Sverige's traffic decreased due to capacity reduction. The new domestic concept has been well received in the market. Spanair's traffic was strong, positively affected by Easter, but also underlying growth from new routes. Traffic was up 27.6% and load factor was up by 3.7 p.u.
Blue 1 in Finland developed very well with an increase in number of passengers of 36.9% and improved load factor by 10.0 p.u.
Traffic and load factor trends improved slightly in March. Yields in general are expected to continue to be stable, but will be slightly negatively affected by more low fare tickets on key domestic markets.
Yield for February was up 3% vs 2004. Yields going forward will however also be positively affected by new price initiatives designed to offset the increased jet fuel costs. Due to the situation with continued overcapacity and the competitive situation with price pressure in many markets, the overall outlook remains cautious.
Scandinavian Airlines Businesses
- Scandinavian Airlines traffic (RPK) decreased by 2.5% in March 2005 compared with 2004.
- Scandinavian Airlines passenger load factor increased by 1.9 p.u. to 66.9%.
- SAS Braathens traffic decreased 3.2% and passenger load factor improved by 4.2 p.u. to 61.8%.
Intercontinental passenger load factor was down 2.9 p.u. a significant improvement vs February.
Traffic on the European routes was down primarily due to capacity reductions initiated under Capacity & Utilization focus. Intrascandinavian traffic decreased fairly in line with capacity adjustments. It must be noted that most of Scandinavian Airlines routes are negatively affected by Easter holdidays.
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