euro adhoc: Austrian Airlines AG
Quarterly or Semiannual Financial Statements
Austrian Airlines Group sets new passenger record in 2002 with 8.8 million passengers (E)
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In what was an extremely challenging year for all the aviation industry around the world, the Austrian Airlines Group - Austrian Airlines, Tyrolean Airways and Lauda Air - succeeded in setting a new record for the number of passengers carried in 2002. Thanks to its optimised route programme, high service quality standards, innovative marketing and highly creative range of ticket prices, last years result was exceeded by 3.3 percent. A total of 8,831,666 passengers flew Austrian Airlines Group in 2002.
A total of 7,266,245 passengers were carried on scheduled flights (+ 1.2%), while the figure for charter traffic was 1,565,421 people (+ 14.0%). Despite the generally contracting air travel scenario and increased market presence of so-called no-frills carriers, the Austrian Airlines Group made gains in market share compared to other European airlines where defined as the members of the AEA (Association of European Airlines). Chief Executive Officer Vagn Soerensen summed up the situation: "With this result, we have shown our ability to act highly successfully and to develop further market potential on the basis of our business model as a network carrier."
Availability of scheduled traffic was reduced, while it was increased in the charter sector. In total, the number of available seat kilometers was up by 2.7 percent on the previous year, while revenue passenger kilometers rose by 6.3 %. This enabled the company to raise its total load factor by 2.4 percentage points to 72.6 % (70.5 % for scheduled flights only).
end of announcement euro adhoc 23.01.2003
Further inquiry note:
Konzernkommunikation: Johannes Davoras Johann Jurceka Tel.: 051755-1231 Investor
Relations Karl Knezourek Tel.: 051766 - 3328
Branche: Air Transport
ISIN: AT0000620158
WKN: 062015
Index: ATX, ATX Prime, WBI
Börsen: Wiener Börse AG / official dealing