STOCKHOLM. SAS Group said on Monday that total passenger traffic (RPK) in December 2003 decreased by -0.3%.
The group transported a total of 2.1 million passengers against 2.3 million in December 2002.
Overall group passenger load factor decreased to 60.4%. The traffic development in December was in line with previous months with reduced passenger yields across most airlines in the group.
Overall passenger load factor was unchanged and passenger traffic decreased by -0.3% during December.
In general, growth has improved slightly on European and intercontinental routes and a positive mix can be noted on Asian routes.
Domestic and intrascandinavian markets are still characterised by weak demand and increased competition and this is the main explanation for the unchanged overall group traffic.
Braathens traffic increased in December driven by the positive development on international routes. Spanair’s traffic increased in December with improved load and improved yields.
Scandinavian Airlines traffic (RPK) decreased by -2.6% in December 2003 compared with 2002. Scandinavian Airlines passenger load factor increased by +0.5 p.u to 64.0%.
In line with other industry players, demand on the long haul routes improved during December. Intercontinental load factors improved while a positive mix was noted on Asian routes with business class up +3.0%. Traffic on the European routes was flat.