Dragonair's passenger figures begin to recover

Dragonair's passenger numbers tripled month-on-month in June 2003, but were still about one third of the level they were one year earlier.

The airline flew 96,982 passengers in June, up from 30,089 in May.

"Travellers are returning, and the rebound has been more rapid than we anticipated, which is encouraging, but there is still some way to go," said Stanley Hui, Chief Executive Officer of Dragonair.

"Obviously the series of special offers we have released are having the desired effect, but that means that even though passenger numbers are climbing yields remain depressed. It is clear that the financial impact of SARS will be with us for some time to come."

The airline said that individual travellers were the driving force behind the rise in June, while group travel resumed after the SARS travel advisories were lifted by the World Health Organisation.

"Business travel is also climbing, helped by the various promotional fares we have offered in Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China cities," said Mr. Hui. "We plan to build on the market momentum we have helped create going forward."

Comparing first-half passenger numbers in 2003 with the same period in 2002, traffic was down 32%.

Meanwhile, Dragonair carried 21,225 tonnes of cargo in June, similar to the amount carried in May, but 40% higher than one year earlier.

"Cargo continues to hold up well, despite the fact that we are now in the seasonally quieter months of summer," Mr. Hui said.