November 2003 statistics show Strong growth in demand for Finnair

In November 2003 demand on Finnair's European routes continued its strong growth, RPK's increased by 12.7%. Longhaul flights also performed well, North Atlantic traffic increased by 47.9%, and Asian traffic by 37.4% compared with the same period last year.

The new pricing structure launched in September especially increased demand in Europe. Price levels suffered heavily by the fierce competition caused by over-capacity within the industry, as well as Finnair's 80th anniversary market campaign in November.

The total passenger traffic (RPK's) increased by 8.5 %, while the capacity (ASK) was up by 6.3 %, resulting in a passenger load factor (including leisure flights) of 68.9 %, 1.4 points higher than last year. In November 2003 Finnair carried a total of 578,200 passengers, which is 4.0 % more than year before. 486,900 passengers were carried in scheduled traffic (+7.0 %) and 91,300 in leisure traffic (-9.4 %).

Cumulative January-November traffic (RPK) was 0.4 % over 2002 level on a capacity increase of 4.3 %. Passenger load factor was 69.1 % (-2.7 %-points). Total number of passengers carried was 6,306,600 (-4.1 %).

Departure punctuality of scheduled flights was 90.1 % (based on a fifteen minute standard), 6.6 %-points higher than in November 2002. Including leisure flights departure punctuality was 86.6 % (+4.4 p.p).

As from January 2003 the traffic performance report also includes the figures of Finnair's associated company Aero Airlines AS, to which Finnair handed over most of its Helsinki-Tallinn operations in June 1st 2002. In November Aero carried 10,100 passengers (+3.5 %) with a PLF of 47.4 % (+1.7 points).

Due to the introduction of a new fare concept in September, business class volumes are no longer reported. Customer behaviour and earnings logics have undergone significant changes, and comparisons to earlier traffic data are no longer relevant.

Scheduled traffic

Scheduled traffic (international + domestic) revenue passenger kilometers increased by 22.6 %. The change in capacity was +13.6 %. Passenger load factor was 62.2 %, 4.6 percentage points higher than last year.

Scheduled international traffic, total number of passengers was up by 13.8 %. Capacity in ASKs was +16.6 %, while RPKs increased by 26.8 %.

European scheduled traffic, ASKs decreased by 0.2 %, and as RPKs increased by 12.7 %, the passenger load factor was 54.0 %, up 6.2 points from previous year.

North Atlantic scheduled traffic, capacity increased by 28.0 %, partly due to introduction of Miami flights on 23rd of October. Change in RPKs was +47.9 %, and passenger load factor for November was 66.8 %, 9.0 points higher than previous year.

Asian scheduled traffic, capacity increase was 44.0 %, due to addition of Shanghai flights in 02 September, and Osaka flights since June. The passenger traffic was up by 37.4 %. Passenger load factor was 74.9 %, 3.6 percentage points down.

Domestic scheduled traffic increased by 0.7 % on a capacity decrease of 0.8 %. Passenger load factor increased by 0.8 percentage points to 54.6 %.

Leisure traffic

ASKs for leisure traffic decreased in November by 8.1 %, and RPKs decreased by 10.1 %, resulting in a passenger load factor of 85.3 %, 1.8 points lower than last year.

Cargo

Cargo traffic increased by 7.9 % in terms of cargo tonnes carried. Cargo traffic increased by 7.9% in terms of cargo tonnes carried. The growth in scheduled traffic was 13.8% and in the Asian traffic 38.0%. Volumes increased in the European traffic by 2.7% and decreased in the North American traffic by 7.3%. Cargo carried on chartered cargo flights decreased due to capacity cuts.