News Releases

CALGARY, Sept. 10, 2018 /CNW/ - Today WestJet announced August 2018 traffic results with a load factor of 89.0 per cent, a decrease of 1.6 percentage points year over year. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 8.1 per cent year over year, while capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 10.0 per cent over the same period. WestJet welcomed an additional 128,000 guests in August, a year-over-year increase of 5.4 per cent. Year-to-date we continue to see traffic growth outpace capacity additions.

"In August, we flew two of our busiest-ever traffic days with more than 80,000 guests choosing one of our four airline brands. In only its second full month of operation, Canadians continue to embrace Swoop with load factors consistently above ninety-five per cent," said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. "I want to thank every individual WestJetter for continuing to provide our guests with an award-winning service experience."

August 2018 traffic results

In August, WestJet became the first Canadian airline to launch an artificial intelligence chatbot. Named Juliet, the chatbot offers WestJet's guests more convenience, and enables travellers to easily manage many aspects of their trip including destination inspiration and discovery, flight booking and day-of travel information. Juliet is available in English and French through Facebook Messenger. To chat with Juliet, please visit: http://m.me/westjet.

WestJet is also giving Canadians more sun and fun this winter. As part of the winter schedule, WestJet announced more flights from WestJet hubs to domestic, transborder, international and sun destinations including Maui, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Orlando, Huatulco, Puerto Vallarta and Belize. The airline also announced new twice-weekly, non-stop service between Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ) and new weekly, non-stop service between Skyxe Saskatoon Airport (YXE) and Orlando International Airport (MCO). The services start November 3, 2018 and December 7, 2018, respectively.

About WestJet 
Together with WestJet's 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 proud to be recognized as Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice winner – North America for 2017 and 2018 in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines. The airline was also named the Travellers' Choice Winner – Economy, North America, 2018. All awards are based on authentic reviews from the travelling public on TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site. We are one of very few airlines globally that does not commercially overbook.

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:
2018 Best Low-Cost Airline in North America (Skytrax)
2018/2017 Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice Winner Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines – North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018 Travellers' Choice Winner – Economy, North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2017/2016 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)

Connect with WestJet on Facebook at facebook.com/westjet
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Read the WestJet blog at blog.westjet.com

SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership