News Releases

WestJet reports November load factor of 80.0 per cent

Airline increases traffic by 14.3 per cent and flies a record 1.7 million guests in November 

CALGARY, Dec. 12, 2016 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced November 2016 traffic results with a load factor of 80.0 per cent an increase of 1.4 percentage points year over year. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 14.3 per cent year over year, and capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 12.4 per cent over the same period. The airline flew a record 1.7 million guests in November, a year-over-year increase of 12.1 per cent or approximately 185,000 additional guests.

"We are pleased with our seventh consecutive month of double-digit traffic growth as we flew a record number of guests and with our recent McDonald's Canada partnering announcement, our guests can now enjoy the taste of a complimentary McCafé Premium Roast Coffee wherever they are flying," said WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky. "As our busy holiday season approaches, my thanks go out to our 12,000 WestJetters for their continuing dedication to safely providing our guests with WestJet's award-winning brand of friendly caring service."

November 2016 traffic results


November 2016

November 2015

Change

Load factor

80.0%

78.6%

1.4 pts

ASMs (billions)

2.303

2.049

12.4%

RPMs (billions)

1.843

1.612

14.3%


Year-to-date 2016

Year-to-date 2015

Change

Load factor

81.9%

80.1%

1.8 pts

ASMs (billions)

26.700

24.476

9.1%

RPMs (billions)

21.869

19.603

11.6%

 

In November, WestJet announced the return of Hamilton non-stop service to Edmonton and Halifax and a new route to Winnipeg. The four-time weekly service to Edmonton and daily service to Halifax returns January 16, 2017 until October 28, 2017. Three-time weekly service to Winnipeg starts on January 17, 2017 until October 26, 2017. WestJet also announced it will begin serving Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport non-stop from Calgary and Edmonton starting January 19, 2017.

About WestJet
We are proud to be Canada's most trusted airline, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers. We offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Through our regional airline, WestJet Encore, and with partnerships with airlines representing every major region of the world, we offer our guests more than 150 destinations in more than 20 countries. Leveraging WestJet's extensive network, flight schedule and remarkable guest experience, WestJet Vacations delivers affordable, flexible travel experiences with a variety of accommodation options for every guest. Members of our WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Our members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of WestJet flights and vacations packages on any day, at any time, to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods  ̶  even on seat sales. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com. 

Recent recognition includes:
2016 Canada's Most Trusted Airline (Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)
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

For further information: WestJet Media Relations: 1-888-WJ-4-NEWS (1-888-954-6397), Email: media@westjet.com, Website: www.westjet.com; WestJet Investor Relations: 1-877-493-7853, Email: investor_relations@westjet.com