US Airways October Traffic Up 5.9 Percent
Monday November 4, 3:06 pm ET
ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- US Airways reported today that revenue passenger miles for October 2002 increased 5.9 percent compared to October 2001, while available seat miles for the month were down 2.4 percent compared to the same period last year. The passenger load factor for October 2002 was 66.9 percent, a 5.2 percentage-point increase compared to October 2001.
The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, which included the three-day shutdown of the air traffic system in September, and reduced capacity in the Northeast U.S. during October, have affected the year-over-year comparisons.
Year-to-date, US Airways'' revenue passenger miles decreased 14.1 percent compared to the first ten months of 2001, while available seat miles decreased 16.1 percent. The year-to-date passenger load factor was 71.4 percent, an increase of 1.7 percentage points compared to the same period in 2001.
The three wholly owned subsidiaries of US Airways Group, Inc. -- Allegheny Airlines, Inc., Piedmont Airlines, Inc., and PSA, Inc. -- reported that revenue passenger miles for October 2002 increased 31.1 percent compared to October 2001, while available seat miles increased 19.2 percent. The passenger load factor for the month was 55.1 percent, an increase of 5.0 percentage points compared to the same period in 2001.
Year-to-date revenue passenger miles for the three wholly-owned US Airways Express carriers increased 9.2 percent compared to the ten months of 2001, while available seat miles increased 12.9 percent. The year-to-date passenger load factor was 53.0 percent, a decrease of 1.8 percentage points compared to the same period in 2001.
Operationally, US Airways ended the month by completing 99.5 percent of its scheduled flights.
System mainline passenger unit revenue for October 2002 is expected to increase between 7.5 percent and 8.5 percent compared to October 2001, which is a decrease of between 18.5 percent and 19.5 percent compared to October 2000.
This press release, as well as other statements made by US Airways may contain forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that reflect, when made, the company''s current views with respect to current events and financial performance. Such forward looking statements are and will be, as the case may be, subject to many risks, uncertainties and factors relating to the company''s operations and business environment, which may cause the actual results of the company to be materially different from any future results, express or implied, by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: the ability of the company to continue as a going concern; the ability of the company to operate pursuant to the terms of the Debtor-In-Possession financing facility; the company''s ability to obtain court approval with respect to motions in the Chapter 11 proceeding prosecuted by it from time to time; the ability of the company to develop, prosecute, confirm and consummate one or more plans of reorganization with respect to the Chapter 11 cases; risks associated with third parties seeking and obtaining court approval to terminate or shorten the exclusivity period for the company to propose and confirm one or more plans of reorganization, for the appointment of a Chapter 11 trustee or to convert the cases to Chapter 7 cases; the ability of the company to obtain and maintain normal terms with vendors and service providers; the company''s ability to maintain contracts that are critical to its operations; the potential adverse impact of the Chapter 11 cases on the company''s liquidity or results of operations; the ability of the company to fund and execute its business plan; the ability of the company to attract, motivate and/or retain key executives and associates; and the ability of the company to attract and retain customers. Other risk factors are listed from time-to-time in the company''s SEC reports. The company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward- looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Similarly, these and other factors, including the terms of any reorganization plan ultimately confirmed, can affect the value of the company''s various pre-petition liabilities, common stock and/or other equity securities. No assurance can be given as to what values, if any, will be ascribed in the bankruptcy proceedings to each of these constituencies. Accordingly, the company urges that the appropriate caution be exercised with respect to existing and future investments in any of these liabilities and/or securities.
US AIRWAYS, INC.
SELECTED TRAFFIC STATISTICS
Oct. Oct. Percent
2002 2001 Change
Revenue Passenger Miles (000):
Domestic* 2,311,008 2,362,437 (2.2)
International* 653,825 438,218 49.2
Total - Scheduled Service 2,964,833 2,800,655 5.9
Total (Including Charter) 2,965,753 2,802,967 5.8
Available Seat Miles (000):
Domestic* 3,504,489 3,713,867 (5.6)
International* 929,975 828,501 12.2
Total - Scheduled Service 4,434,465 4,542,368 (2.4)
Total (Including Charter) 4,435,983 4,546,153 (2.4)
Passengers Boarded* 3,508,757 3,541,695 (0.9)
System Load Factor* 66.9 61.7 5.2
Average Passenger Journey* 845.0 790.8 6.9
* scheduled service
NOTE: Numbers may not add or calculate due to rounding
US AIRWAYS, INC.
YEAR-TO-DATE 2002
Jan. - Oct. Jan. - Oct. Percent
2002 2001 Change
Revenue Passenger Miles (000):
Domestic* 27,210,612 32,866,499 (17.2)
International* 7,032,972 6,994,153 0.6
Total - Scheduled Service 34,243,584 39,860,652 (14.1)
Total (Including Charter) 34,251,232 39,886,947 (14.1)
Available Seat Miles (000):
Domestic* 39,107,962 47,898,740 (18.4)
International* 8,866,475 9,291,390 (4.6)
Total - Scheduled Service 47,974,437 57,190,130 (16.1)
Total (Including Charter) 47,984,378 57,222,581 (16.1)
Passengers Boarded* 40,309,967 48,504,696 (16.9)
System Load Factor* 71.4 69.7 1.7
Average Passenger Journey* 849.5 821.8 3.4
* scheduled service
NOTE: Numbers may not add or calculate due to rounding
US AIRWAYS EXPRESS**
SELECTED TRAFFIC STATISTICS
Oct. Oct. Percent
2002 2001 Change
Revenue Passenger Miles (000) 132,848 101,358 31.1
Available Seat Miles (000) 241,236 202,415 19.2
Passengers Boarded* 595,479 464,613 28.2
System Load Factor* 55.1 50.1 5.0
Average Passenger Journey 223.1 218.2 2.3
US AIRWAYS EXPRESS**
YEAR-TO-DATE 2002
Jan. - Oct. Jan. - Oct. Percent
2002 2001 Change
Revenue Passenger Miles
(000) 1,284,382 1,175,972 9.2
Available Seat Miles (000) 2,425,185 2,148,082 12.9
Passengers Boarded* 5,749,363 5,393,065 6.6
System Load Factor* 53.0 54.7 (1.8)
Average Passenger Journey 223.4 218.1 2.5
* Scheduled service
** Allegheny Airlines, Inc., Piedmont Airlines, Inc., and PSA Airlines,
Inc.
NOTE: Numbers may not add or calculate due to rounding
