STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Feb. 8, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- SAS Group:
1. New Reporting Structure
SAS Monthly Investor report will as from this report also incorporate all majority owned airlines in the SAS Group. The new report will include investor information in addition to traffic and capacity data for the SAS Group as well as SAS Airline, Spanair (1), Braathens, Wideroe and Air Botnia.
(1) Spanair is 49% owned by the SAS Group. In November 2001 SAS
signed an agreement to purchase a 25% additional share and
increase its shareholding to 74%. The acquisition is pending
approval by the European Union Commission.
2. SAS Group Overall Traffic Development
SAS Group overall passenger traffic (RPK) showed an overall decrease of 5,0% in January 2002 vs. January 2001 and number of passengers decreased by 7,8%. Overall capacity (ASK) decreased by 6,4% and passenger load factor increased by 0,8 p.u to 55,4%
SAS Airline showed still a weak development in Business Class (-16,5%) in addition to weak development on most European routes. Due to positive growth in Economy Class, SAS Airline's total traffic showed the smallest decrease (-2,1%) since the September 11 attack. The positive development was also affected by growth on intercontinental routes and in particular on the Asian routes as the new Airbus A 340's is introduced. The negative mix and heavy discounting in the marketplace continue to put yields under pressure. Among the other airlines in the SAS Group, Spanair showed improved passenger load factors as capacity is cuts on European and Intercontinental routes take effect. Braathens major capacity cuts of 20% was implemented as from January 7, 2002 and this resulted in improved passenger load factors on Norwegian domestic routes.
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The following files are available for download: www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/02/08/20020208BIT00540/bit0001.doc The full report www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/02/08/20020208BIT00540/bit0001.pdf The full report