Continental Airlines reported a May consolidated (mainline plus regional) load factor of 81.2 percent, 0.3 points below the May 2007 consolidated load factor, and a mainline load factor of 81.3 percent, 0.4 points below the May 2007 mainline load factor.
Houston – In addition, the carrier reported a domestic mainline May load factor of 84.4 percent, the same as reported for May 2007, and an international mainline load factor of 78.3 percent, 0.4 points below May 2007. During the month, Continental recorded a U.S. Department of Transportation on-time arrival rate of 75.4 percent and a mainline segment completion factor of 99.7 percent.
In May 2008, Continental flew 8.3 billion consolidated revenue passenger miles (RPMs) and 10.2 billion consolidated available seat miles (ASMs), resulting in a traffic increase of 1.8 percent and a capacity increase of 2.2 percent as compared to May 2007. In May 2008, Continental flew 7.4 billion mainline RPMs and 9.0 billion mainline ASMs, resulting in a mainline traffic increase of 1.1 percent and a mainline capacity increase of 1.5 percent as compared to May 2007. Domestic mainline traffic was 3.8 billion RPMs in May 2008, down 4.0 percent from May 2007, and domestic mainline capacity was 4.5 billion ASMs, down 3.9 percent from May 2007.
For May 2008, consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (RASM) is estimated to have increased between 6.5 and 7.5 percent compared to May 2007, while mainline passenger RASM is estimated to have increased between 6.0 and 7.0 percent compared to May 2007. For April 2008, consolidated passenger RASM increased 2.9 percent compared to April 2007, while mainline passenger RASM increased 1.6 percent compared to April 2007.
Continental’s regional operations had a May load factor of 79.8 percent, the same as reported for May 2007. Regional RPMs were 920.4 million and regional ASMs were 1,153.8 million in May 2008, resulting in a traffic increase of 7.8 percent and a capacity increase of 7.9 percent versus May 2007.
Continental Airlines is the world’s fifth largest airline. Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 3,100 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 145 domestic and 138 international destinations. More than 550 additional points are served via SkyTeam alliance airlines. With more than 45,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with Continental Express, carries approximately 69 million passengers per year.
Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture. For the fifth consecutive year, FORTUNE magazine named Continental the No. 1 World’s Most Admired Airline on its 2008 list of World’s Most Admired Companies. For more company information, visit continental.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are not limited to historical facts, but reflect the company’s current beliefs, expectations or intentions regarding future events. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. For examples of such risks and uncertainties, please see the risk factors set forth in the company’s 2007 10-K and its other securities filings, including any amendments thereto, which identify important matters such as the consequences of the company’s high leverage, the significant cost of aircraft fuel, delays in scheduled aircraft deliveries, its high labor and pension costs, service interruptions at one of its hub airports, disruptions to the operations of its regional operators, disruptions in its computer systems, and industry conditions, including the airline pricing environment, industry capacity decisions, industry consolidation, terrorist attacks, regulatory matters, excessive taxation, the availability and cost of insurance, public health threats, an economic downturn in the U.S. and global economies and the seasonal nature of the airline business. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this press release, except as required by applicable law.
