Continental load factor rises in August
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HOUSTON, Sept. 1, 2009 - Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today reported an August consolidated (mainline plus regional) load factor of 85.8 percent, 1.9 points above the August 2008 consolidated load factor, and a mainline load factor of 86.6 percent, 1.7 points above the August 2008 mainline load factor. The carrier reported a domestic mainline August load factor of 88.8 percent, 2.5 points above the August 2008 domestic mainline load factor, and an international mainline load factor of 84.6 percent, 1.2 points above August 2008. All four August load factors were records for the month.
During the month, Continental recorded a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on-time arrival rate of 82.4 percent and a mainline segment completion factor of 99.8 percent.
In August 2009, Continental flew 8.8 billion consolidated revenue passenger miles (RPMs) and 10.2 billion consolidated available seat miles (ASMs), resulting in a consolidated traffic decrease of 3.9 percent and a capacity decrease of 6.0 percent as compared to August 2008. In August 2009, Continental flew 7.9 billion mainline RPMs and 9.1 billion mainline ASMs, resulting in a mainline traffic decrease of 3.6 percent and a mainline capacity decrease of 5.6 percent as compared to August 2008. Domestic mainline traffic was 3.9 billion RPMs in August 2009, down 6.1 percent from August 2008, and domestic mainline capacity was 4.4 billion ASMs, down 8.7 percent from August 2008.
For August 2009, consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (RASM) is estimated to have decreased between 16.5 and 17.5 percent compared to August 2008 while mainline RASM is estimated to have decreased between 17.0 and 18.0 percent. For July 2009, consolidated passenger RASM decreased 17.4 percent compared to July 2008, while mainline passenger RASM decreased 18.3 percent compared to July 2008.
Continental’s regional operations had an August load factor of 79.2 percent, 2.8 points above the August 2008 regional load factor. Regional RPMs were 860.6 million and regional ASMs were 1,086.9 million in August 2009, resulting in a traffic decrease of 6.2 percent and a capacity decrease of 9.5 percent versus August 2008.
Continental Airlines is the world’s fifth largest airline. Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 2,750 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 133 domestic and 132 international destinations. More than 750 additional points are served via current alliance partners.
With more than 43,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with its regional partners, carries approximately 63 million passengers per year.
Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture. For the sixth consecutive year, FORTUNE magazine named Continental the No. 1 World’s Most Admired Airline on its 2009 list of World’s Most Admired Companies. For more company information, go to continental.com.
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