Air Canada adjusts outlook in light of sustained high fuel costs

Air Canada said that it is adjusting its previously communicated plans for 2011 system capacity growth in light of sustained high fuel costs. AC had said back on Feb.

Air Canada said that it is adjusting its previously communicated plans for 2011 system capacity growth in light of sustained high fuel costs. AC had said back on Feb. 10 of this year that its 2011 system wide capacity growth would be in the 5.5% to 6.5% range versus 2010. However, in response to higher fuel prices, Air Canada now expects 2011 system wide capacity growth of 4.5% to 5.5% versus 2010.

During the first quarter of 2011, Air Canada’s expectations for its system wide capacity growth are revised to 7.5% to 8.0% versus 2010, a slight decrease from the 7.5% to 8.5% range projected in its February 10, 2011 news release. As projected in its February 10, 2011 news release, Air Canada continues to expect to increase its full year 2011 domestic capacity by up to 1.5% from the full year 2010 levels.

The reduction in system wide capacity will mostly impact the remaining quarters in the year and will be achieved with minimal impact on customers through reductions in frequency, down gauge of aircraft and suspension of the following routes no longer profitable in the current high fuel price environment, effective May 1, 2011: Ottawa-Thunder Bay, Ottawa-Washington Dulles, Montreal-Washington Dulles, Calgary-Chicago, Calgary-San Francisco and Calgary-London, Ontario. Customers will be offered alternate flights or routings as options.

The carrier said that it has been introducing base fare increases and fuel surcharges on a market by market basis. The airline will continue to adjust fares and fuel surcharges in response to market conditions, including fuel prices, and make adjustments to capacity as required.

Air Canada’s outlook assumes that the North American economy will continue to recover in 2011.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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