SAS Group traffic report - October 2004
The SAS Group Traffic figures October 2004
Good growth and improved load factor
·Total passenger traffic (RPK) increased by 7,7% in October 2004 vs 2003.
·The SAS Group transported 3,0 million passengers in October 2004 vs
2,9 million in 2003, an increase of 2,6%.
·Overall group passenger load factor improved by 0,4 p.u to 65,2% for
October 2004 vs. 2003.
·Yields has continued to stabilize
Group market trends and yield development
Group total traffic volumes developed well in October with a traffic
(RPK) growth of 7,7%. Capacity (ASK) increased by 7,1% resulting in an
improved load factor of 0,4 p.u. The improved passenger load factor is
explained by the development in SAS Braathens and Spanair as well as
intercontinental routes.
Demand has improved in October, but is still weak on Swedish domestic
routes and on certain European routes.
Yields for Scandinavian Airlines in September were down by 7% vs. 2003.
Yields for October will be reported next month, but indications show a
reduction in line with September.
Intercontinental routes continued its positive trend from previous
months with improved passenger load factors.
European routes continued to develop weak for Scandinavian Airlines with
a 3,5 p.u. reduction in passenger load factor. The development has
improved since September.
The SAS Group Norwegian domestic traffic increased by 4,0% and the load
factor increased by a strong 3,7 p.u.
Spanair’s traffic increased in October by a very strong 21,7% and load
factor improved with 4,2 p.u.. Swedish domestic routes continued weak
due to severe overcapacity on many routes.
Group traffic volumes improved in October. Yield development has also
stabilized during the second half of 2004. Yield indication for
Scandinavian Airlines for September shows continued yield reductions in
line with the recent months.
Yields are expected to develop in line with or improve slightly in the
last two months of the year, but due to the situation with continued
overcapacity and the competitive situation with continued potential
price pressure, the overall outlook remains cautious.
Due to the overcapacity situation and weak traffic development on many
routes the SAS Group has initiated “Capacity & Utilization Focus”
targeting a reduced capacity of 4% and improved aircraft utilization by
approx 4%.
Scandinavian Airlines (including SAS Braathens)
·Scandinavian Airlines traffic (RPK) increased by 4,2% in October 2004
compared with 2003.
·Scandinavian Airlines passenger load factor decreased by 0,5 p.u. to 65,5%.
·SAS Braathens traffic increased 9,0% and passenger load factor
improved by 4,1 p.u. to 61,9% in October 2004 vs October 2003.
Demand on the long haul routes continued to be strong in particular on
the North Atlantic routes.
For further information
Please contact Head of SAS Group Investor Relations Sture Stølen
+ 46 8797 1451 sture.stolen@sas.se Homepage:www.sasgroup.net
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