British Airways November traffic rises 3.5%

British Airways November traffic rises 3.5%

2010-12-04 05:08:48 GMT+7 (ICT)

LONDON (BNO NEWS) -- Europe's third largest airline British Airways Plc on Friday reported that system traffic in November 2010 increased 3.5 percent compared to November 2009, as routes to the Asia Pacific region excelled with 11.5% more customers.

BA's total traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPK), for November increased 3.5% to 8.630 billion, after a 11.5% growth in the Asia Pacific region, and a 8.2% increase in UK/Europe region.

Total passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometers (ASK), grew 5.1% to 11.546 billion in November 2010, after a 18.8% growth in capacity in the Asia Pacific region. BA's total passenger load factor was reported at 74.7%, down 1.2 percentage points from 75.9% recorded in November 2009.

The airline said that December passenger numbers will be affected by the severe winter weather in Europe.

The company also said it is introducing first class on its Las Vegas route from June 1, 2011 and increasing capacity by swapping the aircraft on the daily service from a Boeing 777 to a Boeing 747.

British Airways also is to start 12 services a week between Heathrow and Paris Orly to complement its flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle. The Orly flights will begin on January 10, 2011. The airline is also launching new services to Marrakech from London Gatwick on March 27, 2011.

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