FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
FURNISHED PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
04 August 2006
BRITISH AIRWAYS Plc
(Registrant's Name)
Waterside HBA3,
PO Box 365
Harmondsworth UB7 0GB
United Kingdom
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule101(b)(1)
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a
Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security
holders.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7)
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foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the
jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally
organised (the registrant's "home country"), or under the rules of the home
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report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has
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material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other
Commission filing on EDGAR.
Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this
Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes No X
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connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
CONTENTS
1. July Traffic Stats
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorised.
BRITISH AIRWAYS Plc
By: /s/_________________________
Name: Alan Buchanan
Title:Company Secretary
Date: 04 August 2006
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. Description
1. July Traffic Stats
TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - July 2006
Summary of the headline figures
In July 2006, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was 2.8
per cent above July 2005. Traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres,
was higher by 4.4 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load factor up 1.2
points versus last year, to 82.3 per cent. The increase in traffic comprised a
11.0 per cent increase in premium traffic and a 3.3 per cent increase in
non-premium traffic. Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, fell by 0.9 per
cent. Overall load factor increased by 1.2 points to 73.7 per cent.
Market conditions
Strong revenue is expected to continue, supported by significant promotional
activity driving seat factors in all cabins. For the year to March 2007, total
revenue is expected to improve by 6 - 7 per cent, up from previous guidance of 5
- 6 per cent due to the impact of record seat factors and better cabin mix.
Capacity growth in the first half of the year is expected to be about 4 per cent
slowing in the second half of the year to achieve a full year increase of 2.5 -
3 per cent.
Costs
Fuel costs for the year are now expected to be GBP550 - GBP600 million up on
last year. Costs excluding fuel which were previously forecast flat, are now
expected to be slightly higher this year as pension costs are driving employee
costs up.
Strategic Developments
British Airways reached agreement with its trade unions to merge its Gatwick
based longhaul and shorthaul cabin crew into a single fleet from October this
year. The deal provides for significant gains in productivity and staff
flexibility and reductions in employee costs estimated at GBP13.2 million a
year.
At BA's annual general meeting, BA's chairman Martin Broughton said the trustees
of the New Airways Pension Scheme (NAPS) had written to the company to say they
accept that on-going contributions much in excess of current levels may not be
sustainable and that a reduction in future benefits is likely to be required.
NAPS has an accounting deficit of GBP2.1 billion.
As part of an initial public offering by WNS (HOLDINGS) Ltd on the New York
Stock Exchange, British Airways sold its 14.6 per cent shareholding in the India
based business services company, for net US$ 96 million (approximately GBP52
million). The airline will report a gain on disposal of approximately GBP48
million in Q2 and the proceeds will be used to repay existing gross debt which
at March 31, 2006 amounted to GBP4.1 billion.
A new five times a week service is to be launched from Heathrow to Calgary in
Canada on December 1, 2006. British Airways will also increase flights from
Heathrow to JFK from seven to eight per day and increase flights from Heathrow
to Sao Paulo in Brazil from seven to 10 each week.
British Airways announced an increase in the number of seats available at its
record low one-way fare of GBP29 by five hundred per cent from July 27. Almost
two million additional seats are now annually available from Gatwick to Europe
at low fares. More than 900,000 are priced from GBP29 one-way (including taxes
and charges) and a further 700,000 from GBP34.
The airline held a summer sale with up to GBP585 off popular holiday
destinations. Flights from London to Bermuda and Antigua began at just GBP299,
New York from GBP249 return and Mumbai from GBP299.
The airline extended its on-line check-in facility to families and groups of six
or less to further minimize waiting time at the airport.
August 4, 2006
BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS
Month of July Financial year
April through to July
BRITISH AIRWAYS Change Change
SCHEDULED SERVICES 2006 2005 (%) 2006 2005 (%)
Passengers carried (000)
UK/Europe 2303 2280 +1.0 8500 8367 +1.6
Americas 719 693 +3.7 2782 2630 +5.8
Asia Pacific 172 176 -2.2 635 606 +4.7
Africa and Middle East 302 259 +16.7 1124 959 +17.3
Total 3495 3408 +2.6 13041 12562 +3.8
Revenue passenger km (m)
UK/Europe 2199 2157 +1.9 8044 7817 +2.9
Americas 4851 4671 +3.9 18739 17635 +6.3
Asia Pacific 1769 1806 -2.0 6439 6233 +3.3
Africa and Middle East 2001 1735 +15.3 7479 6428 +16.4
Total 10820 10369 +4.4 40701 38113 +6.8
Available seat km (m)
UK/Europe 2758 2826 -2.4 10746 11033 -2.6
Americas 5814 5552 +4.7 22593 21569 +4.8
Asia Pacific 2092 2234 -6.3 8211 8318 -1.3
Africa and Middle East 2477 2174 +13.9 9780 8539 +14.5
Total 13141 12786 +2.8 51330 49458 +3.8
Passenger load factor (%)
UK/Europe 79.7 76.3 +3.4 pts 74.9 70.8 +4.1 pts
Americas 83.4 84.1 -0.7 pts 82.9 81.8 +1.1 pts
Asia Pacific 84.6 80.8 +3.8 pts 78.4 74.9 +3.5 pts
Africa and Middle East 80.8 79.8 +1.0 pts 76.5 75.3 +1.2 pts
Total 82.3 81.1 +1.2 pts 79.3 77.1 +2.2 pts
Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)
Cargo tonne km (CTK) 402 406 -0.9 1631 1591 +2.5
Total RTK 1481 1440 +2.8 5685 5386 +5.5
Available tonne km (m) 2011 1985 +1.3 7942 7710 +3.0
Overall load factor (%) 73.7 72.5 +1.2 pts 71.6 69.9 +1.7 pts
Certain statements included in this statement may be forward-looking and may
involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, projections relating to
results of operations and financial conditions and the company's plans and
objectives for future operations, including, without limitation, discussions of
the company's business and financing plans, expected future revenues and
expenditures and divestments. All forward-looking statements in this report are
based upon information known to the company on the date of this report. The
company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise.
It is not reasonably possible to itemise all of the many factors and specific
events that could cause the company's forward-looking statements to be incorrect
or that could otherwise have a material adverse effect on the future operations
or results of an airline operating in the global economy.
Investor Relations
Waterside (HCB3)
PO Box 365
Harmondsworth
UB7 OGB
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8738 6947
Fax: +44( 0) 20 8738 9602