RJ carries 210,000 passengers in April; an increase of 19%

The total number of passengers the company transported in the first four months of this year went up by 17% in comparison to the corresponding period last year.

The seat factor also increased in April 2008 by 6%, reach 75%, as opposed to last year's 70%.

The accumulative average of the seat factor rose in the first four months of this year by 3% over the same period last year.

RJ President/CEO Samer Majali pointed out that all operational indicators improved last month: the frequency of flights increased by 17%, flying hours by 21% and aircraft mileage by 22%.

He also said that the cargo sector saw a remarkable growth in April this year, as the uplifted cargo increased by 53% over April 2007.

The uplifted cargo increased by 24% in the first four months, compared to the same period last year.

Majali expressed satisfaction with the positive indicators in the company's operational performance during this year, at a time the record increase in fuel prices burdens the company and might negatively impact the financial results.

He said that RJ started taking several measures to mitigate the effect of this increase, the most important of which being working to increase the number of passengers and raise ticket prices reasonably.

RJ follows the policy of fuel purchase hedging in 2008 and 2009.

The company signed an agreement of consultancy services with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in order to conduct studies that aim at reducing aircraft consumption of fuel and control operations expenses.

Majali added that the unprecedented surge in fuel prices will affect the overall performance of the air transport industry and as a result, many airlines around the globe started taking similar procedures to reduce the negative effect of this increase on their financial results this year.