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Aer Lingus Group plc today announced traffic statistics for the month of February 2010 and reported a 32.4% plunge in long haul traffic.
Aer Lingus’ total passenger numbers in February 2010 were 664,000 a decrease of 3.5% compared to February 2009. Short haul passengers were 618,000, a 0.3% decrease on February 2009 and long haul passengers were 46,000, a 32.4% decrease on February 2009.
Aer Lingus’ overall load factor in the month was 69.9%, a decrease of 2.1 points compared to February 2009, with capacity decreasing by 8.2%. Short haul load factor was 70.8%, a decrease of 6.7 points on 2009, with capacity increasing by 12.7%.
Long haul load factor was 67.7%, an increase of 3.4 points on 2009, with capacity decreasing by 37.5%.
Goodbody analyst, Marina Devitt, commented: "Whilst there is no detailed commentary provided around the performance, we assume the long haul reductions are due to the suspension of the Los Angeles and San Francisco routes and the long haul fleet restructuring programme, announced in August 2009.
Whilst negative base effects could be at play for the capacity and load statistics on the short haul side (9% decline in capacity in Feb-09 and one of only two months in 2009 which saw capacity reductions), we will be watching the short haul passenger performance closely in the coming months after this first (albeit marginal) decline in eleven months. However, we could see some improvement coming through on the short haul side when the Aer Arann partnership kicks in. In terms of guidance, the company expects short haul capacity to rise 1% in 2010, and to fall c.20% on the long haul side.
Air Berlin also released results this morning (including TUIfly), revealing a 3.1% like for like yoy increase in passengers, alongside a 3.5% yoy increase in capacity, which resulted in loads moving down marginally by 30bps yoy to 70.6%. Revenue per ASK (available seat kilometre)continues to grow and was up 3.3% yoy at €5.51 cents – a positive on the yield front for Ryanair."
