PASSENGER NUMBERS STAY UP FOR AMERICAN BUT LOADS FALL

American Airlines passenger traffic in March rose slightly – 0.8% – however its aircraft were less full because the airline has added seats at a faster rate. American increased passenger-carrying capacity by 2.6% by adding flights or using bigger planes. As this is a higher rate that the below 1% gain in passenger traffic, average occupancy fell to 80.2% from 81.7% a year ago.