SAS Group traffic figures November 2006

SAS Group traffic figures November 2006
• SAS Group carried 3,3 million passengers in November 2006, up 4,7% vs 2005.
• SAS Group load factor in November decreased 1,4 p.u. to 66,4%.
• SAS Group traffic increased by 3,3% vs 2005.

Group market trends and yield development
SAS Group traffic increased by 3,3% in November. Capacity was up 5,4% due to strong increase in Blue1, airBaltic and Spanair. Passenger load factor did not reach last year’s record high level and decreased by 1,4 p.u. to 66,4%. Number of passengers increased by 4,7%.
Load factors are generally slightly lower while yield continues to improve. Yield for Scandinavian Airlines in October was up 14,6%, positively affected by yield management, focus on dynamic traffic planning and easy comparable figures. In November the yield is expected to be positive vs last year but the increase to be lower than in October.

There are still no signs of any market slowdown in the air travel market, but there are uncertainties due to the competitive situation and the jet fuel price development. The total market growth is good and yield environment has improved due to strong macro development. It is therefore necessary to continue focusing full energy on cost-cutting measures.
Intercontinental traffic decreased 6,1% in November. SAS Group European traffic increased by 9,6% due to new business models and strong market growth. Passenger load factor was slightly lower than last year.

Blue1 introduced new destinations and traffic increased by 44,9%. Spanair continued to grow and traffic increased by 16,9% but load factor was down 1,7 p.u. to 58,8%. airBaltic has strong growth and traffic was up 26,1% and with slightly lower load factor.

SAS Scandinavian Airlines
• Scandinavian Airlines cabin factor was down 0,6 p.u. and reached 70,5%.
• Traffic on European routes decreased in November by 0,6% and load factor was 66,9%, down 1,3 p.u. vs last year.