SAO PAULO, Brazil, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GOL , Brazil's low fare, low cost airline, today released preliminary passenger statistics for the month of September 2006. System-wide passenger traffic (RPK) and capacity (ASK) increased 47% year-over-year. GOL's system load factor for the month of September 2006 was 76%.
Domestic passenger traffic (RPK) and capacity (ASK) for September increased 41%. GOL's domestic load factor for the month of September 2006 was 76%. International passenger traffic (RPK) and capacity (ASK) for September increased 150%. International load factor for the month of September 2006 was 72%. Yield per passenger kilometer increased 4% versus September 2005, and average stage length (passenger trip) increased 9%.
Operating Data September 2006* September 2005* Change (%)
Total System
ASK (mm) (1) 1,728.4 1,178.1 46.7%
RPK (mm) (2) 1,305.5 890.0 46.7%
Load Factor (3) 75.5% 75.5% +0.0 p.p.
Domestic Market
ASK (mm) (1) 1,562.5 1,111.7 40.6%
RPK (mm) (2) 1,185.5 842.0 40.8%
Load Factor (3) 75.9% 75.7% +0.2 p.p.
International Market
ASK (mm) (1) 165.9 66.4 149.8%
RPK (mm) (2) 120.0 48.0 150.0%
Load Factor (3) 72.3% 72.3% +0.0 p.p.
(*) September 2006 -- preliminary data; final data for September 2005.
(1) Available seat kilometers represents the aircraft seating capacity
multiplied by the number of kilometers the seats are flown.
(2) Revenue passenger kilometers represents the numbers of kilometers
flown by revenue passengers.
(3) Load factor represents the percentage of aircraft seating capacity
that is actually utilized (calculated by dividing revenue passenger
kilometers by available seat kilometers).
GOL passenger flows and load factors during the first week of October are at expected levels. During 2Q06, planned capacity additions facilitated an increase in ASKs of approximately 46% versus 3Q05. On September 30, GOL received aircraft PR-GTF, the sixth new Boeing 737-800 to be incorporated into the Company's fleet this year since the first was received in July.
Since September 29, GOL has mobilized resources to assist the families of the 154 victims of the accident that downed Flight 1907. The Company maintains its normal operations.
