Continental Airlines Reports April 2010 Operational Performance

HOUSTON, May 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today reported an April consolidated (mainline plus regional) load factor of 82.9 percent, 0.6 points above the April 2009 consolidated load factor and a mainline load factor of 83.4 percent, 0.3 points above the April 2009 mainline load factor.  Both April load factors were records for the month.  The carrier reported an April domestic mainline load factor of 86.0 percent, 0.4 points below the April 2009 domestic mainline load factor, and a record international mainline load factor of 80.9 percent, 0.8 points above April 2009.  

During April, Continental recorded a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on-time arrival rate of 86.0 percent and a mainline segment completion factor of 98.5 percent.

In April 2010, Continental flew 7.4 billion consolidated revenue passenger miles (RPMs) and 8.9 billion consolidated available seat miles (ASMs), resulting in a consolidated traffic decrease of 2.6 percent and a capacity decrease of 3.2 percent as compared to April 2009.  In April 2010, Continental flew 6.5 billion mainline RPMs and 7.9 billion mainline ASMs, resulting in a mainline traffic decrease of 3.6 percent and a mainline capacity decrease of 3.9 percent as compared to April 2009.  Domestic mainline traffic was 3.3 billion RPMs in April 2010, down 3.4 percent from April 2009, and domestic mainline capacity was 3.8 billion ASMs, down 3.0 percent from April 2009.

For April 2010, consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (RASM) is estimated to have increased between 14.0 and 15.0 percent compared to April 2009, while mainline RASM is estimated to have increased between 12.0 and 13.0 percent. For March 2010, consolidated passenger RASM increased 15.0 percent compared to March 2009, while mainline passenger RASM increased 13.4 percent compared to March 2009.  

Continental’s operations during the month of April were adversely impacted by a volcanic ash plume in Europe that led to the cancellation of 403 transatlantic flights.  Continental estimates that the suspension of these flights during April 2010 resulted in a reduction of 275 million available seat miles, and reduced its consolidated passenger revenue for the month by approximately $24 million.  The net effect of the reduction in available seat miles and passenger revenue resulted in a year-over-year RASM benefit of approximately one percentage point, as compared to the RASM performance the company would have expected had the company flown the capacity it cancelled as a result of the volcanic ash plume.

Continental’s regional operations had an April load factor of 79.5 percent, 3.1 points above the April 2009 regional load factor.  Regional RPMs were 826.6 million and regional ASMs were 1,039.6 million in April 2010, resulting in a traffic increase of 6.4 percent and a capacity increase of 2.3 percent versus April 2009.

Continental Airlines is the world’s fifth largest airline.  Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 2,700 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 132 domestic and 137 international destinations.   Continental is a member of Star Alliance, which overall offers 19,700 daily flights to 1,077 airports in 175 countries through its 26 member airlines.  With more than 40,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with its regional partners, carries approximately 63 million passengers per year.  

Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture.  For nine consecutive years, FORTUNE magazine has ranked Continental as the top U.S. airline on its “World’s Most Admired Companies” airline industry list. For more company information, go to continental.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are not limited to historical facts, but reflect the company’s current beliefs, expectations or intentions regarding future events. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. For examples of such risks and uncertainties, please see the risk factors set forth in the company’s 2009 Form 10-K and its other securities filings, including any amendments thereto, which identify important matters such as the potential for significant volatility in the cost of aircraft fuel, the consequences of its high leverage and other significant capital commitments, its high labor and pension costs, delays in scheduled aircraft deliveries, service interruptions at one of its hub airports, disruptions to the operations of its regional operators, disruptions in its computer systems, and industry conditions, including continuing weakness in the U.S. and global economies, the airline pricing environment, terrorist attacks, regulatory matters, excessive taxation, industry consolidation and airline alliances, the availability and cost of insurance, public health threats and the seasonal nature of the airline business. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this press release, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Continental Airlines