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
4 May, 2006
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
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permitted by Regulation S-T Rule101(b)(1)
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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
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foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the
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organised (the registrant's "home country"), or under the rules of the home
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report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has
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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
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connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
CONTENTS
1. April traffic statistics
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 4 May, 2006
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. Description
1. April Traffic Statistics
TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - April 2006
Summary of the headline figures
In April 2006, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was
4.2 per cent above April 2005. Traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger
Kilometres, was higher by 9.8 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load factor
up 4 points versus last year, to 78.7 per cent. The increase in traffic
comprised a 3.8 per cent increase in premium traffic and a 10.9 per cent
increase in non-premium traffic. Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, rose
by 1.3 per cent. Overall load factor rose by 2.9 points to 71.6 per cent.
As highlighted last month, the timing of Easter this year has reduced premium
volumes and benefited non premium volumes in April.
Market conditions
Market conditions remain broadly unchanged as significant promotional activity
is required to maintain seat factors.
Strategic Developments
British Airways increased the fuel surcharge on its longhaul flights from Friday
April 21, 2006 as a result of further rises in the price of fuel. The longhaul
fuel surcharge on tickets sold and issued in the UK increased from GBP30 per
sector to GBP35 per sector (GBP70 return trip). The shorthaul fuel surcharge
remained unchanged at GBP8 per sector (GBP16 a return trip). The annual fuel
bill for 2005/2006 is expected to be some GBP1.6 billion. We estimated
previously that this would rise by GBP400 million in 2006/2007 but at these high
fuel prices, we would now expect this year's fuel bill to be GBP600 million
higher at GBP2.2 billion.
The company announced a radical shake-up of its short-haul air fares with
one-way all-inclusive tickets starting at GBP29. All non-changeable economy
tickets have been scrapped with air travellers able to change their flights, no
matter what they have paid for the ticket, up to midnight the day before
departure. The airline increased the flexibility of its lowest priced tickets in
response to feedback from its customers who increasingly need to change their
flight bookings at short notice due to altering schedules. The move increases
the number of changeable tickets on sale by 15 million a year.
In his first major speech on the environment, Willie Walsh, chief executive of
British Airways, said the European Commission should keep its plans for aviation
emissions trading simple and practical. He urged the Commission not to risk
delaying the extension of its carbon trading scheme to airlines by making the
arrangements too complicated. Addressing Ireland's National Management
Conference in Co Wicklow, he said it was vital to bring the EU scheme into
operation to demonstrate the aviation industry's commitment to addressing its
impact on global warming. But he warned that the size of aviation's share of
global carbon emissions was sometimes overstated. Mr Walsh said the European
scheme should apply, initially at least, to flights within the EU only.
The company met with its trade unions to hear their joint response to the
proposal to address the GBP1 billion past deficit in the New Airways Pensions
Scheme (NAPS). Further talks were agreed.
British Airways made a GBP500,000 donation to help rebuild 11 schools devastated
in the South Asia earthquake last autumn. The money, which was raised through
the British Airways Change for Good Programme, has been given to UNICEF as part
of the airline's continuing support of relief efforts across the region.
ends
May 4, 2006 035/TC/06
BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS
Month of April
BRITISH AIRWAYS GROUP Change
SCHEDULED SERVICES 2006 2005 (%)
Passengers carried (000)
UK/Europe 1959 1923 +1.9
Americas 670 622 +7.6
Asia Pacific 160 140 +14.2
Africa and Middle East 280 239 +17.1
Total 3068 2924 +5.0
Revenue passenger km (m)
UK/Europe 1848 1753 +5.4
Americas 4513 4158 +8.6
Asia Pacific 1606 1443 +11.3
Africa and Middle East 1863 1599 +16.5
Total 9830 8952 +9.8
Available seat km (m)
UK/Europe 2592 2684 -3.4
Americas 5472 5253 +4.2
Asia Pacific 2017 1929 +4.6
Africa and Middle East 2403 2112 +13.8
Total 12486 11979 +4.2
Passenger load factor (%)
UK/Europe 71.3 65.3 +6.0 pts
Americas 82.5 79.1 +3.4 pts
Asia Pacific 79.6 74.8 +4.8 pts
Africa and Middle East 77.5 75.7 +1.8 pts
Total 78.7 74.7 +4.0 pts
Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)
Cargo tonne km (CTK) 404 398 +1.3
Total RTK 1380 1287 +7.3
Available tonne km (m) 1928 1873 +3.0
Overall load factor (%) 71.6 68.7 +2.9 pts
Certain statements included in this statement may be forward-looking and may
involve 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 and financing plans, expected future revenues and
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 itemise 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.
Investor Relations
Waterside (HCB3)
PO Box 365
Harmondsworth
UB7 OGB
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8738 6947
Fax: +44( 0) 20 8738 9602