British Airways passenger capacity for February was 9% down on February 2008.
The airline said capacity, measured in available seat kilometres, was hit by cancellations due to the heavy snowfall in the South East and by there being less trading day in the month (worth 3.5%).
Traffic, measured in revenue passenger kilometres, fell by 8.3%, which pushed passenger load factor up to 72%, 0.5 points up on last year.
It comprised a 20.2% decrease in premium traffic and a 5.5% fall in non-premium traffic.
BA said market conditions remain “challenging but broadly in line with previous expectations”.
Meanwhile, Ryanair’s February passenger numbers were 4.13 million, up 7% over February 2008.
Load factors for the month jumped 3% to 78%.
By Bev Fearis
