Airline increases traffic by 6.5 per cent and
flies a record number of guests in January
CALGARY, Feb. 8, 2018
/CNW/ - WestJet today announced record January 2018 traffic results with a load factor
of 82.6 per cent, an increase of 2.6 percentage points year over
year. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 6.5 per
cent year over year, and capacity, measured in available seat miles
(ASMs), grew 3.1 per cent over the same period. The airline flew a
record 2.0 million guests in January, a year-over-year increase of
7.9 per cent or approximately 150,000 additional guests.
"We are pleased to start the year off with a strong
year-over-year increase in January's load factor, as we continue to
grow traffic in a strengthening demand environment," said WestJet
President and CEO, Gregg Saretsky.
"As always, I thank the more than 13,000 WestJetters whose efforts
power our airline. The safe, caring and friendly travel experience
they offer our guests each day is greatly appreciated."
January 2018 traffic
results
|
January
2018
|
January
2017
|
Change
|
Load
factor
|
82.6%
|
80.0%
|
2.6 pts
|
ASMs
(billions)
|
2.734
|
2.653
|
3.1%
|
RPMs
(billions)
|
2.259
|
2.122
|
6.5%
|
In January, WestJet announced its summer schedule, which
includes daily direct flights between Halifax and both Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport
(CDG) and London's Gatwick
Airport (LGW). This summer, WestJet will operate an average of 765
daily flights to 92 destinations including 43 in Canada, 22 in the
United States, 23 in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, and four in Europe. WestJet will also inaugurate daily
non-stop service between Calgary
and Denver starting March 8, 2018, non-stop service between
Mexico City and both Calgary and Vancouver starting
March 14 and March 15, 2018,
respectively, and seasonal non-stop service between
Whitehorse and Calgary beginning June
29, 2018.
Caution regarding forward-looking information
Certain information set forth in this news release, including,
without limitation, information regarding our service to Charles de
Gaulle airport and planned summer schedule, is forward-looking
information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. By
its nature, forward-looking information is subject to numerous
risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond WestJet's
control. The forward-looking information contained in this news
release is based on WestJet's current forecasts and strategy, the
expected demand environment, the utilization of our fleet, the
forward-curve for jet fuel price, the expected exchange rate of the
Canadian dollar to the U.S. dollar, agreements and bookings, but
may vary due to factors including, but not limited to, changes in
guest demand, changes in fuel prices, delays in aircraft delivery,
general economic conditions, competitive environment, ability to
effectively implement and maintain critical systems and other
factors and risks described in WestJet's public reports and filings
which are available under WestJet's profile at sedar.com.
Readers are cautioned that undue reliance should not be placed on
forward-looking information as actual results may vary materially
from the forward-looking information. WestJet does not undertake to
update, correct or revise any forward-looking information as a
result of any new information, future events or otherwise, except
as may be required by applicable law.
About WestJet
WestJet is proud to be named Best
Airline in Canada and one of the
best Low Cost Airlines in North
America, based on authentic reviews from the travelling
public on Trip Advisor, the world's largest travel site. We are one
of very few airlines globally that does not commercially overbook.
Together with our regional airline, WestJet Encore, we offer
scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in
over 20 countries through our airline partnerships. WestJet
Vacations offers affordable, flexible vacations to more than 60
destinations and the choice of more than 800 hotels, resorts,
condos and villas. Members of the WestJet Rewards program earn
WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Members use
WestJet dollars towards the purchase of flights and vacations
packages to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods, and
have access to Member Exclusive fares offering deals to WestJet
destinations throughout our network and those of our partner
airlines.
WestJet is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX)
under the symbol WJA. For more information about everything
WestJet, please visit westjet.com.
Recent recognition includes:
2017
Five-Star Airline in the Low-Cost Category (The Airline Passenger
Experience Association)
2017/2016 Canada's Most Trusted
Airline (Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)
2017 Best Airline in Canada and
Travellers' Choice Winner Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines –
North America (TripAdvisor
Travelers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2016 Canada's most reputable
company for Corporate Social Responsibility (Reputation
Institute)
2016/2015/2014/2013/2012 Ranked top three for Canadian Brands
(Canadian Business Magazine)
2016/2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in
Canada (MoneySense magazine)
2015/2011/2010/2008/2007/2006/2005 Canada's Most Admired Corporate Culture
(Waterstone Human Capital)
2015 Best Employers in Canada
(Aon Hewitt)
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SOURCE WestJet