News Releases
Brand and guest experience fuel growth
CALGARY, Aug. 7 /CNW/ - WestJet (TSX:WJA) today announced its seventh
consecutive month of record load factors for 2007. July's 82.6 per cent load
factor was up 1.1 points compared to 81.5 per cent in July 2006. These results
were accompanied by capacity increases of 16 per cent to 1.27 billion ASMs
(available seat miles) and increased RPMs (revenue passenger miles) of 17 per
cent to 1.05 billion.
Sean Durfy, WestJet President commented, "The cornerstone of our brand is
a people-driven service experience at great value fares. The delivery of this
brand promise has allowed WestJet to become a formidable national brand. In
particular our research shows that we have made significant strides in
awareness and brand equity in central and Atlantic Canada. This success allows
us to continue to add double-digit capacity in to the market and see our load
factors increase. Our over 6,400 WestJetters are keeping our brand promise
each and everyday. On behalf of our shareholders, I thank them for their
continued efforts and success.
"Our operational performance remains strong with on-time performance of
89.5 per cent in July", continued Mr. Durfy. "This is up 1.1 percentage points
from July 2006. Completion rates were 99.6 per cent for the month
demonstrating our position as one of the most reliable airlines in North
America."
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July 2007 Traffic Results
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July 2007 July 2006 Per cent change
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Load Factor 82.6% 81.5% 1.1 pts.
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Available Seat
Miles (ASM) 1,270.3 million 1,097.2 million 16%
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Revenue Passenger
Miles (RPM) 1,049.8 million 894.2 million 17%
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Year-to-date 2007 Year-to-date 2006 Per cent change
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Load Factor 81.3% 78.9% 2.4 pts.
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Available Seat
Miles (ASM) 8,207.9 million 6,996.5 million 17%
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Revenue Passenger
Miles (RPM) 6,669.3 million 5,520.5 million 21%
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"A strong brand also allows our revenue management team to maximize
revenue. Improvement in July year over year revenue per available seat mile
(RASM) was healthy."
This disclosure may contain forward-looking statements and are subject
to, and may be affected by, numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which
are beyond WestJet's control. WestJet's results may differ materially from
those expressed in or implied by such statements. Factors that could cause or
contribute to these differences include, but are not limited to: changes in
government policy, exchange rates, interest rates, disruption of supplies,
volatility of fuel prices, terrorism, general economic conditions, the
competitive environment and other factors described in WestJet's public
reports and filings. Forward-looking statements are subject to change and
WestJet does not undertake to update, correct or revise any forward-looking
information as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise.