Air Canada Reports August 2002 Traffic

Air Canada flew 0.5 per cent more revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in August 2002 than in August 2001, according to preliminary traffic figures. Capacity decreased by 1.3 per cent, resulting in a load factor of 81.9 per cent, compared to 80.4 per cent in August 2001; an increase of 1.5 percentage points.

"As a result of strong market demand and our continuing capacity discipline, the load factor for August was the second highest in Air Canada's history as well as the best among major North American carriers. Particularly gratifying were load factors of 86.3 per cent on Tango and 90.4 per cent on our service to Asia," said Rob Peterson, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. 

"Traffic on domestic routes firmed up, while Atlantic and Pacific results continued their strong upward trend. The US transborder traffic recorded weaker results as the leisure market to US sun destinations, buoyant earlier in the year, slowed during the month of August. System revenue per available seat mile (ASM) is expected to once again show modest improvement for the second month in the current quarter. Employee and asset productivity continued to rise sharply as overall seat mile capacity decreased 1.3 per cent while aircraft hours flown were reduced by 8.3 per cent from the level of August 2001," said Rob Peterson.