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Australia's Qantas Airways Ltd's passenger numbers increased by 7.7 per cent in August from the same month a year ago, according to the group's preliminary traffic figures.
The group -- comprising Qantas Domestic, QantasLink, Jetstar and Qantas International -- said revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) increased by 7.0 per cent in August, available seat kilometres (ASKs) were up 3.1 per cent, resulting in a revenue seat factor of 81.8 per cent in the month.
This is three percentage points higher than the previous year.
On a year on year basis, the group added 7.7 per cent more passengers.
Jetstar's passenger load increased the most, jumping by 17.7 per cent while Qantas International passenger load was the worst, dropping by 5.5 per cent.
In recent developments the Australian national carrier said it had recently increased its fuel hedging for 2007/08.
Qantas said it saw no reason to change earnings forecasts, with the delay in the delivery of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner not materially impacting its operations.
It had been assured by Boeing that the 15 Dreamliners scheduled for delivery between August 2008 and December 2009 would all be delivered by the 2009 date.
Qantas has 65 firm orders for the B787, 20 options and 30 purchase rights and has contingency plans for any short-term capacity shortages.
- AAP
