News Releases

CALGARY, Jan. 4 /CNW/ - WestJet (TSX:WJA) today announced December
traffic results posting a record year-to-date load factor of 78.2 per cent,
compared to 74.6 per cent in 2005, an increase of 3.6 percentage points. Load
factor for the month of December was 78.0 per cent compared to 78.2 per cent
in 2005.
"Our 2006 performance highlights our ability to consistently operate
within the optimal load factor range that allows us to deliver an exceptional
guest experience while maintaining industry leading operating performance,"
commented Sean Durfy, President of WestJet.
Capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs) rose to 1,148.3 million
in December 2006, compared to 942.2 million in 2005, an increase of 22 per
cent. Year to date, ASMs increased to 12,524.4 million from 10,673.0 million
in 2005, an increase of 17 per cent.
"December's load factor of 78 per cent shows our continued momentum as we
consistently absorb the amount of seats we add to the market with every new
aircraft. We are very pleased with our load factor, as well as our revenue per
available seat mile (RASM) which was consistent with our expectations for
December," added Sean Durfy. "Our strong results, throughout 2006, can be
attributed to our exceptional guest service, our further penetration in the
Eastern markets and our strategy to match our route scheduling to the demand
in the market. With over 20 per cent of our capacity planned for our U.S. and
Caribbean destinations during peak winter travel time, our deployment strategy
is positioning us to deliver favourable Q1 results."
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) for December 2006 rose to 895.7 million
compared to 737.1 million in 2005, an increase of 22 per cent. Year to date,
RPMs increased 9,791.9 million from 7,957.7 million in 2005, an increase of
23 per cent.

WestJet is Canada's leading low-fare airline offering scheduled service
throughout its 35-city North American and Caribbean network. Named Canada's
most admired corporate culture in 2006, WestJet pioneered low-cost high-value
flying in Canada. With increased legroom and leather seats on its modern fleet
of Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft, and live seatback television provided
by Bell ExpressVu on the majority of its fleet, WestJet strives to be the
number one choice for travellers.