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 April 2007
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)
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a
Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant
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
country exchange on which the registrant's securities are traded, as long as the
report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has
not been distributed to the registrant's security holders, and, if discussing a
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
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
CONTENTS
1. British Airways March traffic
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 April 2007
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. Description
1. British Airways March traffic
TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - March 2007
Summary of the headline figures
In March 2007, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was
2.3 per cent above March 2006. Traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger
Kilometres, was higher by 3.3 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load
factor up 0.7 points versus last year, to 76.3 per cent. The increase in
traffic comprised a 3.6 per cent increase in premium traffic and a 3.2 per cent
increase in non-premium traffic. Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres,
decreased by 16.3 per cent.
Market conditions
Underlying market conditions are broadly unchanged.
Strategic Developments
In the light of Iberia's announcement that it had received a bid approach,
British Airways appointed UBS to advise on how to use British Airways' 10 per
cent holding in Iberia in the best interests of British Airways shareholders.
The advice will examine all options, including a disposal of British Airways'
holding.
British Airways called on the UK Government to stand by its right of automatic
termination of traffic rights granted in the new aviation pact between the EU
and US if America stalls on negotiating further liberalisation.
The airline expanded its operations at London City Airport by more than 70 per
cent with the launch of its new subsidiary, BA CityFlyer which operates 250
flights a week to six UK and European destinations. New direct routes include
Glasgow and Zurich.
British Airways completed the sale of the regional operation of its subsidiary
airline BA Connect to Flybe.
British Airways entered into exclusive talks to transfer its ground handling
operation at Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester airports to Aviance UK,
an independent ground handling company.
The summer schedule includes four new routes from London Gatwick this summer
including Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago, Dresden in Germany, Sarajevo in
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Newquay.
The company announced three year contracts with global distribution systems
Galileo, Sabre Travel Network and Worldspan.
At its annual Investor Day British Airways released market guidance for the
financial year 2007/8. Revenue is forecast to increase by 5-6 per cent based on
capacity measured in available seat kilometers (ASKs) up 1.3 per cent, traffic
measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs) up 2.4 per cent and yield
measured in pence per RPK up 3.4 per cent. Fuel is forecast to be up by some
GBP100 million for 2007/8. Total costs, excluding fuel are forecast to be up
GBP50 million. This will leave the company on track to achieve a 10 per cent
operating margin in the year to March 2008.
ends
April 4, 2007
046/TC/07
Note:
Following completion of the sale of the regional business of BA Connect, traffic
statistics are now shown on a continuing basis. All comparative data has been
restated on the same basis.
BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS
Month of March Financial year
April through to Mar
BRITISH AIRWAYS Change Change
SCHEDULED SERVICES 2007 2006 (%) 2007 2006 (%)
Passengers carried (000)
UK/Europe 1695 1634 +3.7 20250 19636 +3.1
Americas 614 610 +0.6 7371 7644 -3.6
Asia Pacific 163 167 -2.3 1844 1907 -3.3
Africa and Middle East 325 297 +9.4 3597 3214 +11.9
Total 2796 2708 +3.3 33061 32402 +2.0
Revenue passenger km (m)
UK/Europe 1623 1530 +6.1 19966 18907 +5.6
Americas 4158 4116 +1.0 49728 49490 +0.5
Asia Pacific 1674 1708 -2.0 18851 19639 -4.0
Africa and Middle East 2214 2007 +10.3 24296 21609 +12.4
Total 9669 9361 +3.3 112842 109645 +2.9
Available seat km (m)
UK/Europe 2386 2322 +2.8 28044 27435 +2.2
Americas 5408 5224 +3.5 64870 63060 +2.9
Asia Pacific 1996 2184 -8.6 23937 25551 -6.3
Africa and Middle East 2879 2650 +8.7 31448 28076 +12.0
Total 12669 12380 +2.3 148299 144123 +2.9
Passenger load factor (%)
UK/Europe 68.0 65.9 +2.1 pts 71.2 68.9 +2.3 pts
Americas 76.9 78.8 -1.9 pts 76.7 78.5 -1.8 pts
Asia Pacific 83.9 78.2 +5.7 pts 78.8 76.9 +1.9 pts
Africa and Middle East 76.9 75.8 +1.1 pts 77.3 77.0 +0.3 pts
Total 76.3 75.6 +0.7 pts 76.1 76.1 +0.0 pts
Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)
Cargo tonne km (CTK) 383 457 -16.3 4693 4928 -4.8
Total RTK 1362 1389 -1.9 16108 15902 +1.3
Available tonne km (m) 1927 1958 -1.6 22874 22703 +0.8
Overall load factor (%) 70.7 70.9 -0.2 pts 70.2 69.7 +0.5 pts
Certain information included in these statements is forward-looking and involves
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 Plan programs, expected future revenues, financing plans
and expected 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 itemize 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. Information on some
factors which could result in material difference to the results is available in
the Company's SEC filings, including, without limitation the Company's Report on
Form 20-F for the year ended March 2006.
Investor Relations
Waterside (HCB3)
PO Box 365
Harmondsworth
UB7 OGB
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8738 694