News Releases

Airline achieves its second-highest November load factor

CALGARY, Dec. 4, 2013 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced November 2013 traffic results with a load factor of 79.7 per cent. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 5.7 per cent year over year, and capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 9.4 per cent over the same period. The airline flew 1.4 million guests in November, a year-over-year increase of 3.8 per cent or approximately 53,000 additional guests.

"We are very pleased with the achievement of our second-highest November load factor, two percentage points better than our third highest, as our strong traffic growth continued in the month. As well, our on-time performance saw another significant year-over-year improvement, increasing 11.9 points to 77.4 per cent in November," said WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky. "During the month we announced Dublin, Ireland as our first transatlantic destination, and launched WestJet Encore's service to its fourth new community of Terrace, B.C. I want to thank WestJetters for their ongoing efforts in ensuring our guests have a great travel experience this winter."

November 2013 traffic results

WestJet expects year-over-year system-wide capacity growth of approximately 7.0 per cent in December and as a result, approximately 8.5 per cent for the full-year 2013 and approximately 8.0 per cent for the fourth quarter of 2013. WestJet continues to expect system-wide capacity growth between 4.0 and 6.0 per cent for the full-year 2014, with WestJet Encore representing approximately half of this growth.

In November, the WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard and the WestJet RBC MasterCard were ranked number-one and number-two in the Top Airline Credit/Charge Card category by Rewards Canada, which follows a top ranking by MoneySense Magazine earlier this fall. These two cards are part of WestJet's simple and straightforward WestJet Rewards program, as WestJet continues to provide its guests with the service, experience and value they have come to expect from WestJet, RBC and MasterCard.

Caution regarding forward-looking statements
Certain information set forth in this news release, including information regarding the expected year-over-year system-wide capacity growth in December 2013; the expected year-over-year system-wide capacity growth for the full-year 2013 and the fourth quarter of 2013; and the expected year-over-year system-wide capacity growth for the full-year 2014 contains forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond WestJet's control. These forward-looking statements are based on WestJet's existing forecast and currently available network plans, agreements and bookings, but may vary due to factors including, but not limited to, changes in guest demand, regulatory and competitive environment and general economic conditions. These and additional risk factors are discussed in WestJet's most recent Annual Information Form and in other documents WestJet files from time to time with securities regulatory authorities, which are available under WestJet's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Readers are cautioned that undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements as actual results may vary materially from the forward-looking statements. WestJet does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except as is required by law.

About WestJet
WestJet is Canada's most preferred airline, offering scheduled service to 88 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Powered by an award-winning culture of care, WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. Recognized nationally as a top employer, WestJet now has more than 9,600 WestJetters across Canada. Operating a fleet of more than 100 Boeing Next-Generation 737 and Bombardier Q400 NextGen aircraft, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world. This year, WestJet launched its new regional airline, WestJet Encore.

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SOURCE WestJet