The SAS Group reported yesterday that its traffic decreased by 6.4% to 2.1m passengers in the month of November while seat capacity was down -13.5% versus 2008. But Scandinavia's biggest scheduled carrier added that its

total passenger load factor was 67.9% in November – the fifth month of positive growth in the number of passengers carried per plane a row.

The yield for Scandinavian Airlines in October was down by -11.3 %. For November 2009, the change in yield is also expected to be negative indicating continued yield pressure going forward. This development will have a negative impact on the full year result. The airline adds that the market continues to be unpredictable and the uncertainty regarding the timing of the recovery is 'considerable'.

In a statement, the airline group said: ‘The SAS Group is currently implementing its Core SAS strategy – to secure a future profitable SAS. The strategy includes cost reduction initiatives of SEK.4.5bn ($637m) as well as a 20% reduction in capacity. The implementation is well on track. In total, SAS Group's cost reductions currently amount to SEK.5.3bn ($750m).’

Looking at its traffic breakdown, the SAS Group said that intercontinental traffic decreased by -16.2%, although capacity was down by 18.7% which resulted in an improved load factor. By comparison, traffic on European routes decreased by -13.7%. Intra-Scandinavian traffic also decreased by -9% and capacity was reduced by -14.2%.