News Releases
Airline reports 18.3 per cent increase in revenue passenger miles
CALGARY, Aug. 8 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced July traffic statistics
with a load factor of 79.7 per cent, capacity measured in available seat miles
of 1.558 billion and revenue passenger miles of 1.242 billion.
"Given our substantial growth in capacity, we are pleased with our strong
load factor," commented Sean Durfy, WestJet President and CEO. "As Canada's
favourite airline, we continue to pick up more domestic capacity share month
over month and now have 37 per cent of the domestic capacity. This July we had
more than 100,000 additional guests flying with us than we did a year ago;
this is in large part due to our great guest experience and high-value
business model.
"The recent introduction of pre-reserved seat selection as a new service
has already proven to be successful. We are confident in our ability to offer
guests enhanced services without compromising our value-inclusive fares. We
are proud that our business model allows us to continue to offer our guests
two free checked bags, free call centre bookings, free snacks and free seat
selection when checking in on the web within 24 hours of their flight."
<<
July 2008 Traffic Results
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
July 2008 July 2007 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 79.7% 82.6% (2.9) pts.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Available Seat Miles (ASM) 1.558 billion 1.270 billion 22.7%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue Passenger
Miles (RPM) 1.242 billion 1.050 billion 18.3%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year-to-date Year-to-date
2008 2007 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Factor 80.5% 81.3% (0.8) pts.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Available Seat Miles (ASM) 9.858 billion 8.208 billion 20.1%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue Passenger
Miles (RPM) 7.939 billion 6.669 billion 19.0%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
Sean Durfy continued, "Third quarter RASM is tracking to comparable
year-over-year levels. I am very proud of the efforts of our WestJetters for
embracing the challenges we have faced in the first half of the year while
continuing to deliver on our great guest experience."
This disclosure may contain forward-looking statements and is 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.
About WestJet
WestJet is Canada's leading high-value low-cost airline offering
scheduled service throughout its 51-city North American and Caribbean network.
Named Canada's most admired corporate culture in 2005, 2006 and 2007, WestJet
pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. WestJet offers increased legroom and
leather seats on its modern fleet of 76 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft
and live seatback television provided by Bell ExpressVu. With future confirmed
deliveries for an additional 45 aircraft, bringing its fleet to 121 by 2013,
WestJet strives to be the number one choice for travellers.