The total number of passengers flown in March 2008 was 588,173 compared to 479,592 last year, an increase of 108,581 passengers (23 %), and a 47 % increase in passenger traffic. "We are satisfied with the increased number of passengers, but March show a strong pressure on yield, which is mainly due to increased capacity in the market and an even stronger competitive environment", says Norwegian’s CEO Bjorn Kjos.

• Total passenger traffic (RPK) increased by 47 %, compared to last year.
• Total capacity (ASK) increased by 42 %, compared to last year.
• The cabin factor was 81 %, which is an increase of 3 percentage points compared to the same period last year.
• The company estimates a yield around NOK 0.59 for March 2008.
   

The increase in passenger traffic, production and passengers is related to the company’s expansion in well established markets and to the introduction of new routes from April 2007 to March 2008, as well as adjustments in production capacity and a steady increase in passengers.

Domestic passenger traffic increased by 5 % while capacity remained unchanged, resulting in a cabin factor of 81 % which is an increase of 4 pp compared to the same period last year. The operation in Poland continued to show improvement compared to the same period last year.

International passenger traffic increased by 69 % and capacity increased by 64 %, giving a cabin factor of 81 %, a 3 pp increase from the same period last year.

Certain routes in the Scandinavian / Nordic region continue to show pressure on yield from increased competition.  Furthermore, the growth in international capacity and share of international production also cause larger seasonal fluctuations compared to last year.

The yield is estimated at NOK 0.59 for the period (-20 %). The yield development is in part due to changes in the route portfolio mix, which increased the average flying distance with 20 %. Capacity was reduced on typical high yield business routes during the Easter holiday. The 3 pp increase in cabin factor partially offsets the change in yield.

Internet sales accounted for 87 % of tickets sold in March.

Flynordic flew 130,975 passengers in March

The total number of passengers flown by FlyNordic in March 2008 was 130,975.

• Total passenger traffic (RPK) 91 million
• Total capacity (ASK) 116 million
• Total number of passengers was 130,975
• The cabin factor in March 2008 was 79 %

FlyNordic’s charter operation and scheduled traffic are included in the traffic numbers.