RNS Number:8184S
British Airways PLC
03 December 2003


TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - November 2003


Summary of the headline figures


In November 2003, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was
2.3 per cent above November 2002 and traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger
Kilometres, was higher by 7.4 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load factor
up 3.4 points versus last year, to 71.8 per cent.  The increase in traffic
comprised a 2.5 per cent increase in premium traffic and an 8.4 per cent
increase in non-premium traffic.  Non-premium traffic has benefited from
promotional activities principally in the US and the Rugby World Cup in
Australia. Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, rose by 10.9 per cent.
Overall load factor rose 3.0 points to 69.7 per cent.


Market conditions


Market conditions continue to point to a more stable outlook for revenue, with
traffic volumes remaining sensitive to yield. The longhaul premium volume
improvements seen last month continue.


Strategic Developments


British Airways announced a pre-tax profit of #105 million (2002: #245m) for the
three months ended September 30, 2003. The three-month pre-tax figures took the
result for the half-year to #60 million profit.


Lord Marshall of Knightsbridge announced his intention to retire as chairman of
British Airways at the company's next annual general meeting on July 20, 2004.
He will be succeeded as chairman by Martin Broughton, 56, currently senior
independent director who was appointed deputy chairman by the board with
immediate effect.


The three year actuarial valuation, to determine the funding position of British
Airways' two main UK pension schemes - Airways Pension Scheme (APS) and the New
Airways Pension Scheme (NAPS) - was completed. The APS surplus of #820 million
at the last valuation in March 2000, has fallen to #45 million and the NAPS
deficit has risen from #221 million at March 2000 to #928 million at March 2003.
The government minimum funding requirement (MFR) is covered in both schemes.


Annual contributions of #26 million for APS are required from November 2003. For
NAPS, contributions will increase by #107 million a year to #225 million
effective January 2004.


The Concorde fleet was positioned to museums around the world including
Barbados, Seattle, New York, Manchester and Bristol.


Glasgow-based Loganair is to operate seven Scottish routes currently served by
British Airways' wholly-owned subsidiary British Airways CitiExpress, between
the Scottish mainland and the island communities of Benbecula, Shetland and
Stornoway.


The transfer of the routes, together with the lease of four Advanced Turbo Prop
aircraft, is part of British Airways CitiExpress strategy to accelerate its move
towards an all-jet aircraft operation, simplifying its fleet and taking
unnecessary cost from the business.  By March next year British Airways
CitiExpress, will stop flying its remaining fleet of eight Advanced Turbo Props.


British Airways announced plans to launch services to Algiers from London
Gatwick on January 5, 2004.  Flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and
Fridays on a Boeing 737. Three new routes to three Italian destinations, Bari,
Cagliari and Catania, will also start next summer.


In addition, changes to the bilateral air services agreement between the UK and
Libya have enabled the airline to increase its weekly frequency between London
Heathrow and Tripoli, from three to four flights, from November 30, 2003.  It is
hoped to increase services further next summer.


                                      ends

December3, 2003
                                        163/KG/03


                            BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS

                                               Month of November                  Financial year to date
                                                                                  April through November

BRITISH AIRWAYS GROUP                                     Change                                   Change
SCHEDULED SERVICES                    2003       2002        (%)             2003       2002          (%)

Passengers carried (000)

UK/Europe                             1762       1788       -1.5            17418      17530         -0.6
Americas                               560        514       +8.9             4849       4577         +6.0
Asia Pacific                           138        127       +9.0              947       1060        -10.7
Africa and Middle East                 229        213       +7.9             1798       1675         +7.3
Total                                 2689       2642       +1.8            25012      24842         +0.7

Revenue passenger km (m)

UK/Europe                             1466       1417       +3.4            14745      14196         +3.9
Americas                              3731       3457       +7.9            32400      30817         +5.1
Asia Pacific                          1443       1285      +12.3            10064      10798         -6.8
Africa and Middle East                1585       1496       +6.0            12076      11257         +7.3
Total                                 8226       7655       +7.4            69286      67068         +3.3

Available seat km (m)

UK/Europe                             2409       2340       +3.0            21249      20352         +4.4
Americas                              5020       4983       +0.7            42216      41653         +1.4
Asia Pacific                          1822       1709       +6.6            13996      13853         +1.0
Africa and Middle East                2202       2165       +1.7            16503      16144         +2.2
Total                                11453      11198       +2.3            93964      92002         +2.1

Passenger load factor (%)

UK/Europe                             60.9       60.6       +0.3 pts         69.4       69.8         -0.4 pts
Americas                              74.3       69.4       +4.9 pts         76.7       74.0         +2.7 pts
Asia Pacific                          79.2       75.2       +4.0 pts         71.9       77.9         -6.0 pts
Africa and Middle East                72.0       69.1       +2.9 pts         73.2       69.7         +3.5 pts
Total                                 71.8       68.4       +3.4 pts         73.7       72.9         +0.8 pts

Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)

Cargo tonne km (CTK)                   429        387      +10.9             2923       2864         +2.1
Total RTK                             1249       1153       +8.3             9844       9566         +2.9
Available tonne km (m)                1791       1729       +3.6            14491      14170         +2.3

Overall load factor (%)               69.7       66.7       +3.0 pts         67.9       67.5         +0.4 pts

* Comparative numbers from 1 July 2002 have been adjusted to remove the impact
of dba  following its disposal on 30 June 2003


Certain information included in this statement is forward-looking and involves
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 'Future Size and Shape' programme, expected future revenues,
financing plans and expected 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.  Information on some
factors which could result in material difference to the results is available in
the Company's SEC filings, including, without limitation the Company's Report on
Form 20-F for the year ended March 2002.

                                                              Investor Relations
                                                                Waterside (HCB3)
                                                                      PO Box 365
                                                                   Harmondsworth
                                                                         UB7 OGB

                                                       Tel: +44 (0) 20 8738 6947

                                                       Fax: +44( 0) 20 8738 9602


                      This information is provided by RNS
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END

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