Air Canada declares 2011 operational results, passenger traffic up 4.5 percent

Air Canada recently declared its 2011 operational results and sounded slightly upbeat. The airline reported a 4.5 percent increase in its passenger traffic. The capacity also grew by 4.7 percent. However, the load factor slightly dipped to 81.6 percent. In 2010, the airline had set a record in its load factor.

Calin Rovinescu, CEO of Air Canada, said that the airline reported a good traffic growth for both the month of December and 12-month period in all the markets it serves.

Overall, for most Canadian airlines 2011 had been rather good with higher passenger traffic. The industry reports said that Canada’s largest airlines remained untouched by global economic concerns.

Calgary-based WestJet Airlines said that it carried a record 1.4 million passengers in December 2011. It also reported its second-highest December load factor ever standing at 80.9 percent. The airline’s revenue passenger miles also increased 8 percent in December last year, while its capacity grew 7.1 percent over the same period.