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Old 03-22-2011 | 04:48 AM
  #62379  
Sink r8
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Look at this MarketWatch report:

United Continental boosts international capacity 03/22 07:29 AM

"...NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- United Continental Holdings (UAL:$23.9700,$0.6000,2.57%) is planning to shrink its domestic seat capacity by 2.1% in the first quarter, versus a year ago, while lifting international capacity by 5.7%. For the year, domestic capacity is forecast to decline by 2% to 3%, with international up 3% to 4%. Unit revenue for the first quarter is expected to rise 10% to 11%, with cargo and other revenue adding between $1.01 billion and $1.02 billion. Unit costs, excluding fuel and some other expenses, were estimated to rise 2.75% to 3.25% for the quarter. The Chicago-based carrier expects to end the first quarter with $8.9 billion in unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investment. Mainline domestic bookings for the next six weeks are up 1.4 points, while international bookings are down 4.1 points...."

See, all you have to do is to contrast revenue increases with ex-fuel costs. If you don't account for fuel, then it makes sense to add international capacity.

I think it will be clear from our conference call that revenue increases are not quite enough to match increased costs.