News Releases

WestJet reports September load factor of 79.2 per cent

CALGARY, Oct. 9, 2018 /CNW/ - Today WestJet announced September 2018 traffic results with a load factor of 79.2 per cent, a decrease of 1.2 percentage points year over year. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 9.7 per cent year over year, while capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 11.3 per cent over the same period. WestJet welcomed an additional 137,000 guests in September, a year-over-year increase of 7.1 per cent. Year-to-date traffic growth continues to outpace capacity additions.

"We are pleased with our strong year-over-year traffic growth as we flew close to 7 million guests and attained our second highest ever load factor for the quarter. During the month of September, we also achieved the best operational completion rate in North America on our WestJet mainline business," said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. "As we transition through our shoulder period into the busy winter season, I want to thank every individual WestJetter for continuing to provide our guests with an award-winning service experience."

September 2018 traffic results


September 2018

September 2017

Change

Load factor

79.2%

80.4%

-1.2 pts.

ASMs (billions)

2.769

2.488

11.3%

RPMs (billions)

2.192

1.999

9.7%


Third Quarter 2018

Third Quarter 2017

Change

Load factor

84.6%

85.7%

-1.1 pts.

ASMs (billions)

8.880

8.077

9.9%

RPMs (billions)

7.517

6.922

8.6%


Year to Date 2018

Year to Date 2017

Change

Load factor

84.5%

83.9%

0.6 pts.

ASMs (billions)

24.831

23.339

6.4%

RPMs (billions)

20.972

19.575

7.1%

 

Note: All statistics are at a consolidated WestJet group level

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 North America's Best Low-Cost Airline (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)
2018/2017/2016 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)

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SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership

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