MAS passenger traffic dips in Q2; sees smaller FY loss

Kuala Lumpur

MALAYSIA Airlines Bhd (MAS) on Thursday reported a decline in passenger loads in the traditionally slower second quarter, but said that cost savings would help it post a smaller-than-expected annual loss.

The national carrier said that its load factor - or passenger capacity used per flight - fell 0.3 percentage points from the first quarter to 68.6 percent. It also said that demand was lower - as usual - in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan that fell in June.