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 October, 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
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule101(b)(1)
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a
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
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7)
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a
Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant
foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the
jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally
organised (the registrant's "home country"), or under the rules of the home
country exchange on which the registrant's securities are traded, as long as the
report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has
not been distributed to the registrant's security holders, and, if discussing a
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
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
CONTENTS
1. September 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 October, 2006
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. Description
1. September Traffic Statistics
TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - September 2006
Summary of the headline figures
In September 2006, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres,
was 2.5 per cent above September 2005. Traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger
Kilometres, was higher by 1.5 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load factor
down 0.8 points versus last year, to 78.8 per cent. The increase in traffic
comprised a 1.5 per cent increase in premium traffic and a 1.5 per cent increase
in non-premium traffic. Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, decreased by
5.2 per cent. Overall load factor increased by 0.8 points to 73 per cent.
For the July to September quarter, ASKs rose by 3.5 per cent, with RPKs rising
by 3.6 per cent. This resulted in an increase in passenger load factor of 0.1
points, to 79.7 per cent. This comprised a 6.5 per cent increase in premium
traffic and a 3.1 per cent increase in non-premium traffic. CTKs fell by 1.1 per
cent.
Market conditions
Market conditions continue to be good, and most segments of the business are
recovering well from the events of August. However, as expected, September
transfer traffic volumes, in particular in the premium cabins, were affected by
carry on baggage restrictions. Volume in premium shorthaul also continues to be
soft for the same reason. The reintroduction of standard carry on bag sizes
agreed at the end of the month, and harmonization of rules on liquids planned
for the end of October are expected to support the gradual recovery of these
segments of the business. As a result of the volume shortfall total revenue is
now expected to grow at 5-6% for the financial year, down from 6-7%.
Costs
After the recent major falls in the fuel price the cost of fuel is now expected
to be some GBP450 million higher than last year, down from our previous forecast
of GBP550-600 million.
Strategic Developments
The airline announced that the actuarial deficit in its New Airways Pension
Scheme (NAPS) is set to rise from GBP928 million to some GBP2.1 billion, despite
a doubling of BA's contributions and a recovery of the stock market. The
trustees confirmed that annual contributions at the unsustainable level of
GBP497 million would be needed to fund the scheme unless changes to future
benefits proposed earlier this year are introduced. This means the company's
contributions would go up from five to 12 times members' contributions.
Negotiations between British Airways and the trustees are now underway to agree
a funding plan including proposed benefit changes. Consultation continues with
the trades unions.
British Airways urged the Civil Aviation Authority to cut the profits BAA
receives from its asset base to ensure that the airport operator builds
cost-effective facilities that generate additional airport capacity. The CAA is
currently consulting on the level of user charges at Heathrow, Gatwick and
Stansted airports for a five year period from April 2008, in its role as an
economic regulator.
During the current charging period between April 2003 and March 2008, BAA
receives a 7.75 per cent return on it asset base. British Airways said this
should be set at around 5.6 per cent in the next charging period, a reduction of
almost one third.
It was announced that James A Lawrence will be joining the board as a
non-executive director with effect from 1 November, 2006. He is currently vice
chairman and chief financial officer of General Mills Inc. one of the largest
food companies in North America. His range of experience covers strategic
consultancy, leading US multi-nationals in consumer products and the US airline
industry.
ends
October 4, 2006 102/KG/06
BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS
Month of September Financial year
April through to Sep
BRITISH AIRWAYS Change Change
SCHEDULED SERVICES 2006 2005 (%) 2006 2005 (%)
Passengers carried (000)
UK/Europe 2156 2132 +1.1 12701 12566 +1.1
Americas 639 648 -1.3 4068 3910 +4.0
Asia Pacific 166 173 -4.1 965 938 +2.9
Africa and Middle East 285 257 +11.0 1704 1466 +16.3
Total 3246 3210 +1.1 19439 18880 +3.0
Revenue passenger km (m)
UK/Europe 2070 2005 +3.2 12128 11797 +2.8
Americas 4316 4354 -0.9 27418 26252 +4.4
Asia Pacific 1701 1776 -4.2 9817 9642 +1.8
Africa and Middle East 1910 1714 +11.4 11331 9805 +15.6
Total 9997 9850 +1.5 60694 57496 +5.6
Available seat km (m)
UK/Europe 2652 2738 -3.1 16039 16515 -2.9
Americas 5599 5342 +4.8 33824 32193 +5.1
Asia Pacific 2030 2169 -6.4 12344 12611 -2.1
Africa and Middle East 2403 2122 +13.2 14642 12727 +15.0
Total 12683 12372 +2.5 76849 74047 +3.8
Passenger load factor (%)
UK/Europe 78.0 73.2 +4.8 pts 75.6 71.4 +4.2 pts
Americas 77.1 81.5 -4.4 pts 81.1 81.5 -0.4 pts
Asia Pacific 83.8 81.9 +1.9 pts 79.5 76.5 +3.0 pts
Africa and Middle East 79.5 80.8 -1.3 pts 77.4 77.0 +0.4 pts
Total 78.8 79.6 -0.8 pts 79.0 77.6 +1.4 pts
Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)
Cargo tonne km (CTK) 392 414 -5.2 2401 2370 +1.3
Total RTK 1417 1397 +1.4 8507 8105 +5.0
Available tonne km (m) 1941 1934 +0.4 11850 11557 +2.5
Overall load factor (%) 73.0 72.2 +0.8 pts 71.8 70.1 +1.7 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 694