Continental Airlines said mainline domestic advanced booked seat factor for the next six weeks is running 1-2 points higher than the year-ago period, with transatlantic bookings 6-7 points higher. It now expects third-quarter consolidated and mainline load factors to be up approximately 3 points year-over-year to 84%-85% and 85%-86% respectively, it said in an investor update. Full-year consolidated load factor is expected to be 80%-81%, with mainline loads reaching 81%-82%.
Consolidated third-quarter capacity is expected to be down 4.6% from the year-ago period, comprising a 6.4% international cut and a 2.5% domestic reduction. Mainline ASMs will fall 4.2% and regional will be down 7.9%. For the full year, consolidated capacity should be down 5.2%, with mainline ASMs cut 5.1%. Third-quarter consolidated CASM is forecast to be 11.19-11.24 cents, with mainline coming in at 10.36-10.41 cents. It is forecasting full-year consolidated CASM of 11.52-11.57 cents and mainline CASM of 10.66-10.71 cents. The company has $371 million in scheduled debt and capital lease payments programmed for the current quarter and another $60 million planned in the fourth quarter.
Consolidated third-quarter capacity is expected to be down 4.6% from the year-ago period, comprising a 6.4% international cut and a 2.5% domestic reduction. Mainline ASMs will fall 4.2% and regional will be down 7.9%. For the full year, consolidated capacity should be down 5.2%, with mainline ASMs cut 5.1%. Third-quarter consolidated CASM is forecast to be 11.19-11.24 cents, with mainline coming in at 10.36-10.41 cents. It is forecasting full-year consolidated CASM of 11.52-11.57 cents and mainline CASM of 10.66-10.71 cents. The company has $371 million in scheduled debt and capital lease payments programmed for the current quarter and another $60 million planned in the fourth quarter.
