Finnair traffic performance in March 2018: +17.2%

The number of passengers up by over 17% – the passenger load factor increased by 3.5 %-points while capacity increased by over 18%

In March, Finnair carried 1,094,800 passengers or 17.2% more passengers than in the corresponding period of 2017. This is the third highest number of passengers ever, close to July and June records in 2017. The number of passengers grew the most in Asian traffic, 31.5%, but growth was also strong on North American routes (18.9%), European flights (15.1%) and in domestic traffic (12.4%).

Finnair’s overall capacity measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK) increased in March 18.2% year-on-year. Finnair’s traffic measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPKs) grew by 23.4%, driven by the increased demand for long-haul leisure travel. The Passenger Load Factor (PLF) in total traffic increased by 3.5%-points to 84.5%.

In March 52% of Finnair’s ASKs were in Asian traffic, 34% on European routes and the rest in North American and domestic traffic. Finnair’s long-haul capacity was increased by the A350 aircraft introduced after the reference period. The ASK growth in Asian traffic was 25.8% and it was allocated to added frequencies especially to Bangkok and Hong Kong and to the new seasonal route to Goa. Compared to March 2017, we also added frequencies to Chongqing, Singapore, Delhi, Nagoya and Tokyo. In North American traffic ASKs increased by 12.8%, and the growth was allocated to new seasonal routes to Puerto Vallarta and Havana. The 8.7% ASK growth in European traffic derived from the increase in the narrow-body fleet size year-on-year and the additional seating capacity added to some if its existing narrow-body aircraft. Capacity growth was directed at added frequencies especially to Stockholm and Berlin, serving the new year-round destination Reykjavik, and direct flights to Lapland from Paris, London and Zurich. The significant ASK growth in domestic traffic, 21.6%, reflects added capacity from Helsinki to destinations in Northern Finland.

RPKs grew 32.0% in Asian traffic, 21.7% in North American traffic, 12.9% in European traffic and 15.1% in domestic traffic. The PLF was 88.6% in Asian traffic, 85.6% in North American traffic, 81.5% in European traffic and 67.2% in domestic traffic. The PLF in total traffic increased by 3.5%-points to 84.5%.

Available Scheduled Cargo Tonne Kilometres increased by 16.3% year-on-year. Revenue Scheduled Cargo Tonne Kilometres increased by 9.6% driven by the good cargo market development in Finland and Japan. Finnair’s total cargo capacity also included three weekly freighter flights between Helsinki and Brussels, operated by DHL. Cargo flight volumes decreased from the comparison period when Finnair rented cargo space from Japan Airlines. Finnair’s new COOL Nordic Cargo terminal was taken in full use in January.

In March 78.2% of all Finnair flights arrived on schedule (87.8).

According to preliminary data, Finnair’s unit revenue, or RASK (total Group revenue divided by ASK), decreased in January–March by 3.6 percent year-on-year and totalled 6.57 euro cents.

“Demand for air travel remained at a good level throughout the first quarter. We are very pleased with the increase in the number of passengers and the improvement of our passenger load factor. Our rapid capacity growth is reflected in the decline of our unit revenue, as expected,” says Finnair’s CFO Pekka Vähähyyppä.

Traffic statistics for April 2018 will be published on Tuesday, 8 May 2018.

Finnair Traffic Performance March 2018

* Operational calculatory capacity

** Including purchased traffic

–      Change %: Change compared to the figures of the respective periods in the previous year

(p = percentage points)

–      Available seat kilometres, ASK: Total number of seats available, multiplied by the number of kilometres flown

–      Revenue passenger kilometres, RPK: Number of revenue passengers carried, multiplied by kilometres flown

–      Passenger load factor: Share of revenue passenger kilometres of available seat kilometres

–      Available tonne kilometres, ATK: Number of tonnes of capacity for carriage of passengers, cargo and mail, multiplied by kilometres flown

–      Revenue tonne kilometres, RTK: Total revenue load consisting of passengers, cargo and mail, multiplied by kilometres flown

–      Overall load factor: Share of revenue tonne kilometres of available tonne kilometres

Finnair Plc               Investor News             10 April 2018 at 09:05 am