OREANDA-NEWS. United Airlines (UAL) today reported December 2013 operational results.

UAL's December 2013 consolidated traffic (revenue passenger miles) increased 4.1 percent and consolidated capacity (available seat miles) increased 0.5 percent versus December 2012. UAL's December 2013 consolidated load factor increased 3.0 points compared to December 2012.

UAL's December 2013 consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) increased an estimated 11.5 to 12.5 percent compared to December 2012. The company's December PRASM growth was greater than originally expected due to strong yields and traffic throughout the month. Also during December, the company canceled more than 1,200 flights due to winter storms, which reduced December consolidated capacity and increased consolidated PRASM growth. Further, in December UAL recorded higher-than-expected positive adjustments during the month-end close process related to certain interline tickets. In total, the impact of the winter storms and the positive adjustments during the month-end close process increased December PRASM by approximately 2.5 percentage points.

The company will continue to provide quarterly PRASM guidance in its investor update documents and beginning with next month's January 2014 traffic release, the company will no longer provide monthly PRASM guidance.