British Airways said today a slowing US economy and the British outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease had affected revenues and passenger numbers for March.
The airline reported a fall in traffic of 8.9 per cent last month compared with March last year. This comprised a fall in premium traffic of 3 per cent this year, after an 8.5 per cent rise in March last year, and a 10.1 per cent drop in non-premium traffic.
BA said the estimated overall revenue effect in March was between £15 million and £20 million sterling.
The airline said the March passenger load factor of 70.0 per cent was 1.8 points lower than the same month in 2000.