News Releases
Capacity and revenue indicators remain strong as airline's momentum
continues
CALGARY, May 3 /CNW/ - WestJet (TSX:WJA) today announced its April load
factor of 82.8 per cent, exceeding last year's April load factor of 78.5 per
cent and setting a new high for the month. April's results include a 16 per
cent increase in available seat miles and a 23 per cent increase in revenue
passenger miles.
Sean Durfy, WestJet President commented, "Beyond the considerable
year-over-year improvement in domestic load factor, our U.S. and Caribbean
transborder deployment strategy delivered strong load factors in April. We are
continually optimizing our fleet deployment, benefiting from our previous
experience. This has enabled WestJet to significantly increase capacity and
launch into new destinations with favourable results. In May, as we transition
a portion of our capacity back to domestic flying, we are tracking to
successful new destination launches that will bring WestJet to Kitchener,
Ontario, Saint John, New Brunswick, and Deer Lake, Newfoundland."
<<
April 2007 Traffic Results
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 2007 April 2006 Per cent
change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 82.8% 78.5% 4.3 pts.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Available Seat Miles (ASM) 1,130.4 million 973.4 million 16%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue Passenger Miles (RPM) 936.5 million 763.8 million 23%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year-to-date Year-to-date Per cent
2007 2006 change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 81.5% 79.2% 2.3 pts.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Available Seat Miles (ASM) 4,579.4 million 3,870.5 million 18%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue Passenger Miles (RPM) 3,733.7 million 3,064.3 million 22%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
"These results show our value proposition is resonating with Canadians.
Our seasonal network deployment strategy in combination with our people-driven
exceptional guest experience is resulting in more travellers choosing
WestJet," added Sean Durfy. "Overall, RASM (revenue per available seat mile)
is in line with our expectations. The market continues to absorb our capacity
while we attain similar or better year-over-year performance indicators."
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.