Air Canada Reports Record March Load Factor

MONTREAL, April 3, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ – For the month of March, Air Canada reported a record system load factor of 83.5 per cent, versus 81.5 per cent in March 2012, an increase of 2.0 percentage points. System traffic increased 3.4 per cent on a system-wide capacity increase of 1.0 per cent. Air Canada reports traffic results on a system-wide basis, including regional airlines from which Air Canada purchases capacity.

“I am pleased to report a record load factor of 83.5 per cent for the month of March,” said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Led by traffic increases in the Pacific, domestic Canada and U.S. transborder markets of 5.8, 4.5 and 4.4 per cent, respectively, Air Canada generated greater traffic of 3.4 per cent system wide on a capacity increase of 1.0 per cent. This is the fourth consecutive month Air Canada has reported a record load factor, underscoring the effectiveness of our capacity management strategy. Also during the month we successfully implemented a simplified baggage handling process at our Toronto Pearson hub, making Air Canada an even more attractive option for travellers connecting to the United States while leveraging our international route network that offers some of the best elapsed travel times between the U.S. and Asian and European gateways. I thank our employees whose professionalism and focus on taking care of customers have been instrumental in earning their loyalty while transporting them safely to their destination.”