Passenger business

Traffic progressed by 9.3% for capacity up by 7.5%, leading to an improvement in load factor of 1.5 points to 85.2%. Capacity grew by only 5.2% taking into account the impact of the air traffic control strikes of September 2010, cabin configuration changes on some B777s, and the progressive take-over of capacities operated by Martinair. The number of passengers stood at 6.86 millions, up by 8.4%. Unit revenue per available seat kilometer (RASK) excluding currency was slightly up on September 2010. However, given the volatility of recent months and based on currently available indicators, activity in October could be less dynamic.

On the Americas network, traffic rose 12.2% for capacity up by 10.8%. The load factor gained 1.1 points to 90.6%.

The Asia network remained dynamic. Traffic (+9.7%) kept pace with the rise in capacity (+9.4%), leading to a load factor of 88.8% (+0.3 points). Traffic to Japan returned to the level of September 2010, but unit revenue remained below pre-crisis.

The Africa and Middle East network saw traffic rise by 2.9% for capacity down by 1.3%. The load factor gained 3.4 points to 82.9%. Traffic to/from Ivory Coast recovered strongly, but less so on Egyptian routes.

On the Caribbean and Indian Ocean network, traffic was up by 6.4% for capacity up by 4.7%. The load factor gained 1.2 points to 76.6%.

The European network saw the cancellation of 1,300 flights in September 2010, leading to a favorable comparison basis. Traffic progressed by 9.5% for capacity up by 7.3%. The load factor gained 1.6 points to 78.2%.

Delta Air Lines Inc. said Tuesday it will shrink seating capacity next year in an effort to remain profitable despite rising fuel prices.

Atlanta-based Delta (NYSE: DAL), which is the dominant carrier at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport , said in a regulatory filing that seating capacity will be 2 percent to 3 percent lower than 2011 levels.

The airline also said it was reducing flying in the last three months of the year by 4 percent to 5 percent.

Delta plans to cut flights to Europe by as much as 12 percent in the fourth quarter and flights to Asia and within the United States by 1 percent to 3 percent. The only market that's seeing an increase in traffic is Latin America, projected to be up 3 to five percent.