SAS Group traffic figures - August 2004

The SAS Group Traffic figures August 2004 Traffic continues to improve · Total passenger traffic (RPK) increased by 5,1% in August 2004 vs 2003. · The SAS Group transported 2,9 million passengers in August 2004 vs 2,8 million in 2003, an increase of 2,2%. · Overall group passenger load factor decreased by 3,2 p.u to 66,7% for August 2004 vs. 2003. Market trends and yield development Group total traffic volumes continued to develop positively with a total group traffic growth of 5,1%. Capacity increased by 10,1% resulting in a reduced load factor by 3,2 p.u. Demand has not quite recovered after the Scandinavian holiday season as expected, particularly on the business travel market. The large yield fall experienced in April and May stabilized in June and July also as a result of the new actions implemented including a fuel charge and other yield optimization measures. Yields for Scandinavian Airlines in July were down by 7% vs. 2003. Yields for August will be reported next month, but indications show a continued reduced pressure on par with July. In general, all airlines in the group showed growth. Intrascandinavian routes traffic grew with 1,9% and cabin factor improved with 0,7 p.u. for the SAS Group in a market characterized by improving demand but large overcapacity. The Norwegian domestic traffic increased by 6,5% and the load factor increased by 4,1 p.u. Braathens' total traffic continued to grow impressively with an increase by 15,7% in August in combination with improved cabin factor by 6,8 p.u.. Spanair's traffic increased in August by 5,5% but with a 4,0 p.u. reduced load factor. Outlook remains unchanged. During 2nd Quarter 2004 Scandinavian Airlines experienced unprecedented yield reductions. Actions such as fuel charge, selective price adjustments and active yield management are taking effect. Yield indications for Scandinavian Airlines for August shows continued reduced pressure as experienced in July. Improvements in general demand and positive traffic growth can be noted, but some markets showed weak development. The outlook for the yield is more stable, but due to the situation with continued overcapacity and the competitive situation with continued potential price pressure, the overall outlook still remains cautious. Scandinavian Airlines · Scandinavian Airlines traffic (RPK) increased by 2,0% in August 2004 compared with 2003. · Scandinavian Airlines passenger load factor decreased by 4,9 p.u. to 67,2% Demand on the long haul routes continued to be strong ly especially on the North Atlantic routes. Traffic on the European routes was up 4,6%, but did not meet expectations and cabin factor was down with 8,8 p.u.. Snowflake showed a traffic increase of 31% and had a load factor of almost. 70%. Intrascandinavian traffic developed well and traffic was up 2,4%. Domestic traffic in Denmark continued to grow strong and increased 13,3%. Swedish domestic traffic decreased due to weak total market. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/09/07/20040907BIT00070/wkr0001.pdf The full report