BA and Ryanair post July traffic data

BA said traffic, measured in revenue passenger kilometres, rose 1% in July, while low-frills airline Ryanair saw passenger numbers hike 19% in the month.BA said underlying volumes and seat factors stabilised during the first quarter and are expected to improve in the peak summer months. Yields will be under pressure from the year on year impact of lower fuel surcharges, exchange movements and mix, which makes revenue "forecasting difficult."Ryanair, which saw its traffic rise to a monthly record of 6.7m passengers in July, said its continued growth shows that passengers are switching from high fair and fuel surcharging carriers to its low cost offering. The firms load factor was flat at 89%. BA's passenger numbers fell 1.2% to 3.2m but its load factor increased 3.1 points versus last year to 84.6%. Passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was 2.7% below July 2008.Traffic comprised an 11% decrease in premium traffic and a 3.5% increase in non-premium traffic. Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, fell by 6.8%. Based on current fuel prices and exchange rates, the full year fuel bill for BA is expected to be between £450m-£500m lower than last year. Bay Capital