Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) reported a July consolidated (mainline plus regional) load factor of 85.4 percent, 1.5 points above last year’s July consolidated load factor and matching a record July load factor previously set in 2004.
HOUSTON – The carrier reported a mainline load factor of 86.0 percent, 1.4 points above the July 2005 mainline load factor, and a record domestic mainline load factor of 87.3 percent, 0.8 points above July 2005. In addition, the airline had an international mainline load factor of 84.7 percent, 2.2 points above July 2005.
During the month, Continental’s employees worked together to deliver a mainline completion factor of 99.7 percent. Disruptive weather at the airlines’ three hubs contributed to Continental recording an on-time arrival rate of 68.6 percent.
In July 2006, Continental flew 8.7 billion consolidated revenue passenger miles (RPMs) and 10.2 billion consolidated available seat miles (ASMs), resulting in a traffic increase of 10.8 percent and a capacity increase of 8.9 percent as compared to July 2005. In July 2006, Continental flew 7.8 billion mainline RPMs and 9.0 billion mainline ASMs, resulting in a mainline traffic increase of 10.4 percent and an 8.6 percent increase in mainline capacity as compared to July 2005. Domestic mainline traffic was 4.1 billion RPMs in July 2006, up 6.9 percent from July 2005, and domestic mainline capacity was 4.7 billion ASMs, up 5.9 percent from July 2005.
For July 2006, consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (RASM) is estimated to have increased between 9.0 and 10.0 percent compared to July 2005, while mainline passenger RASM is estimated to have increased between 8.5 and 9.5 percent compared to July 2005. For June 2006, consolidated passenger RASM increased 11.0 percent compared to June 2005, while mainline passenger RASM increased 9.6 percent from June 2005.
July 2006 sales at continental.com increased 47.0 percent over July 2005.
Continental’s regional operations had a record July load factor of 80.5 percent, 1.8 points above last year’s July load factor. Regional RPMs were 979.9 million and regional ASMs were 1,217.3 million in July 2006, resulting in a traffic increase of 13.7 percent and a capacity increase of 11.2 percent versus July 2005.
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Continental Airlines is the world’s fifth largest airline. Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 3,200 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 154 domestic and 138 international destinations. More than 400 additional points are served via SkyTeam alliance airlines. With more than 43,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with Continental Express, carries approximately 61 million passengers per year. Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture.
In 2006, Continental Airlines won its sixth J.D. Power and Associates award since 1996. The carrier received the highest rank in customer satisfaction among network carriers in North America in the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Airline Satisfaction Index SurveySM. For the third consecutive year, FORTUNE magazine named Continental the No. 1 Most Admired Global Airline on its 2006 list of Most Admired Global Companies. Continental was also named the No. 1 airline on the publication’s 2006 America’s Most Admired airline industry list. Additionally, Continental again won major awards at the OAG Airline of the Year Awards including “Best Airline Based in North America” for the third year in a row, and “Best Executive/Business Class” for the fourth consecutive year. For more company information, visit continental.com.
