UNITED Continental Holdings has reported that combined consolidated traffic (revenue passenger miles) in September for United Air Lines and Continental Airlines fell by 1.7 per cent compared to the same month last year.

    September's combined consolidated capacity (available seat miles) dropped one per cent, while the carriers' combined consolidated load factor decreased 0.5 points.

    The carriers' combined consolidated and mainline passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) increased by an estimated 11 to 12 per cent and 10.5 to 11.5 per cent, respectively.

    A statement said that as with June's results, the impact of the transatlantic joint venture revenue-sharing agreement, which is accounted for as passenger revenue and for the third quarter is entirely recorded in the month of September, reduced the company's September 2011 year on year PRASM growth.

    While this agreement became effective in January 2010, the company finalised the agreement in the fourth quarter of 2010 and recorded all related activity as "other operating expense". Therefore, the 2010 revenue results do not reflect the negative impact of the joint venture obligation.

    Adjusting for the impact of the transatlantic joint venture-related revenue adjustment in September 2010, the company estimates September 2011 consolidated PRASM increased 13 - 14 per cent year on year.

(source:http://www.shippingonline.cn/news/newsList.asp?classname=News)