January passenger activity remained on a positive trend with traffic up 3.7% for a 0.6% rise in capacity,
leading of a 2.5 point gain in load factor to 81.6%. Passenger numbers stood at 5.75 million (+5.3%). The
rise in unit revenue per available seat kilometer (RASK) was however insufficient to offset the increase in
the fuel bill.
• On the Americas network the 3.8% increase in capacity was mainly driven by Latin America, with
North America having recorded a capacity reduction. Traffic rose on both networks, (+8.3%). The load
factor therefore gained 3.7 points.
• The timing of Chinese New Year in January this year, as well as the ongoing effects of last year’s
disaster in Japan saw a 2.3% decline in both traffic and capacity on the Asia network. The load factor
remained stable at 85.3%.
• The Africa and Middle East network saw a 2.1% increase in traffic with capacity down 2.8%. The load
factor therefore gained 3.9 points to 80.5%. The Africa network continues to recover, while the Middle
East remains affected by political instability.
• On the Caribbean and Indian Ocean network, traffic rose 0.5% with capacity down by 0.5%. The load
factor gained 0.9 points to 85.5%.
• The European network saw traffic up 8.1% for capacity up by 2.3%. The load factor stood at 68.2%
(+3.6 points).
Cargo business
Cargo recorded a sharp drop in traffic (-10.3%) linked to the weak economy and the timing of CNY. A
6.0% reduction in capacity limited the decline in load factor to 3 points at 61.4%. Unit revenues excurrency
were down on January 2011.
Recent developments
• SkyTeam launched SkyPriority to improve the experience of Elite Plus, First and Business class
passengers by offering dedicated services and priority access. SkyPriority will be rolled out in the
1,000 airports served by the alliance at the beginning of 2013.
• On January 12th, Air France became a partner of Bluenext, the global environment exchange,
becoming its 108th member. Air France is the first airline to request membership of the emissions
exchange market.
• Air France continues to invest in its business class product with the roll out of the ‘full-sleep’ seat.
• KLM launched a new service, ‘Meet & Seat’ allowing passengers to choose who they sit next to via
Facebook and Linkedin.
• KLM restarted direct flights between Amsterdam and Quito, with four weekly flights. Previously there
was a stopover in Bonaire.
Source: Air France-KLM
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