CALGARY, March 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - WestJet today
announced record February 2018
traffic results with a load factor of 86.4 per cent, an increase of
1.2 percentage points year-over-year. Revenue passenger miles
(RPMs), or traffic, increased 6.1 per cent year over year, and
capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 4.6 per
cent over the same period. WestJet flew a record 1.9 million guests
in February, a year-over-year increase of 6.5 per cent or
approximately 120,000 additional guests.
February 2018 traffic
results
|
February
2018
|
February
2017
|
Change
|
Load
factor
|
86.4%
|
85.2%
|
1.2 pts
|
ASMs
(billions)
|
2.480
|
2.370
|
4.6%
|
RPMs
(billions)
|
2.142
|
2.019
|
6.1%
|
|
Year-to-date
2018
|
Year-to-date
2017
|
Change
|
Load
factor
|
84.4%
|
82.4%
|
2.0 pts
|
ASMs
(billions)
|
5.213
|
5.023
|
3.8%
|
RPMs
(billions)
|
4.401
|
4.141
|
6.3%
|
Update to Q1 RASM and Domestic capacity outlook
|
New
Three months
ended
March 31,
2018
|
Previous
Three months
ended
March 31,
2018
|
RASM
|
Up 2.5% to
3.5%
|
Up 4.5% to
5.5%
|
Domestic
capacity
|
Up 5.5% to
6.5%
|
Up 7.5% to
8.5%
|
Driven by the compounding effect of significant weather events
across the country, we now expect year-over-year RASM growth for
the first quarter of 2018 of up 2.5 to 3.5 per cent and Domestic
capacity of up 5.5 to 6.5 per cent down from our previous guidance
of up 4.5 to 5.5 per cent and 7.5 to 8.5 per cent respectively.
WestJet experienced twenty-five days of irregular operations in the
first two months of 2018 with January representing the single
highest month over the past four years. The severity and length of
weather events limited options for guest recovery, reduced revenues
from providing WestJet guests with atonement, drove higher guest
cancellations and impacted the ability to capture revenue from last
minute high-yield bookings. We continue to expect all other
guidance to remain in line with disclosure provided in Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Operating
Results for the years ended December 31,
2017 and 2016.
Caution regarding forward-looking information
Certain
information set forth in this news release, including, without
limitation, information regarding our expected RASM and domestic
capacity outlook, 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, an Alberta Partnership