From Earlier: United Continental Holdings Reports February 2012 Operational Performance

United Continental Holdings, Inc.

yesterday reported February 2012 operational results for its United Airlines and Continental Airlines units. UAL's consolidated traffic (revenue passenger miles) in February 2012 increased 3.4 percent and consolidated capacity (available seat miles) increased 5.4 percent versus February 2011 results. The company's consolidated load factor in February 2012 decreased 1.4 points compared to February 2011. The company's February 2012 consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) increased an estimated 1.5 to 2.5 percent as compared to February 2011. The company's year-over-year PRASM growth was adversely affected by approximately 6 percentage points due to three factors: more difficult comparisons due to accounting adjustments in 2011, including the impact of the company's required implementation of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-13, which UAL applied against frequent flyer mileage revenue recognition; significantly improved completion factor year-over-year; and the merger integration-related transition to a single inventory management and optimizing system.