United Airlines’ (UAL) September 2016 consolidated traffic (revenue passenger miles) increased 3.9 percent and consolidated capacity (available seat miles) increased 3.6 percent versus September 2015. UAL's September 2016 consolidated load factor increased 0.3 points compared to September 2015.
The airline now expects third-quarter 2016 consolidated passenger unit revenue to decline 5.5 to 6.0 percent compared to the third quarter of 2015. The year-over-year performance was primarily impacted by a strong U.S. dollar, lower surcharges, travel reductions from customers impacted by lower oil prices, competitive actions and passenger demand not growing at the same pace as industry capacity, it said in a statement. The company's consolidated passenger unit revenue result was near the top end of the initial guidance range largely due too better than expected September close-in bookings driven by the timing of certain holidays.