• The load factor increased to 74.1%, up 0.1 p.p. versus last year.
• Compared to last year, the preliminary currency adjusted yield and PASK were unchanged, while the nominal yield and PASK increased 4%.
Market and Capacity Development
The capacity in the Scandinavian market has accelerated during the winter 2017/2018 and spring 2018. This accelerated capacity growth is expected to continue during the summer/autumn 2018.
In line with the seasonally increasing demand, SAS grew its capacity on both business and more leisure-oriented routes in May. The capacity increase was well absorbed, with underlying yield and PASK unchanged compared to last year.
In fiscal year 2017/2018, SAS plans to increase capacity (ASK) by around 1–3%, driven by longer European routes and additional seats on the new Airbus A320neo.
Scheduled Traffic Development
During May the number of passengers increased by 3.8% vs. last year. SAS increased the scheduled capacity by 1.5% and the traffic increased by 1.6% vs. last year, resulting in a marginally stronger passenger load factor.
The capacity on SAS’ intercontinental routes was reduced by 3.0% vs. last year, as one aircraft has been phased out of traffic. This is the primary reason for the 3.4% decrease in intercontinental traffic vs. last year.
The traffic on SAS’ European/Intrascandinavian routes increased by 5.5% vs. last year. The growth was strongest on the European routes to/from Denmark and Norway.
The capacity on SAS’ domestic routes increased by 1.3%, contributing to a positive growth in traffic by 1.9%. The growth was strongest on Danish domestic routes.