News Releases

Airline achieves its second-highest February load factor

CALGARY, March 7, 2014 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced February 2014 traffic results with a load factor of 84.6 per cent. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 7.3 per cent year over year, and capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 9.2 per cent over the same period. The airline flew 1.5 million guests in February, a year-over-year increase of 8.0 per cent or approximately 114,000 additional guests.

"We are pleased with the strong traffic growth, achieving our second-highest February load factor in WestJet's history, and welcoming more guests into our network, as we celebrated WestJet's 18th birthday in February," said WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky. "I want to thank our nearly 10,000 WestJetters for their exceptional dedication to providing our guests with a remarkable experience every day, even with an unprecedented number of weather-related irregular operations."

February 2014 traffic results

WestJet now anticipates its revenue per available seat mile (RASM) for the first quarter of 2014 to be flat to down slightly year over year, due to slightly softer domestic demand and a larger impact than previously anticipated from the Easter and Passover holidays shifting into the second quarter of 2014. The previous outlook released on February 4, 2014, in conjunction with the airline's fourth quarter 2013 financial results, guided to a first quarter RASM of flat to up slightly when compared with the first quarter of 2013.

In February 2014, WestJet announced it has signed a multi-year agreement with Panasonic Avionics Corporation to provide the airline with a new inflight entertainment system with added connectivity and entertainment options. The addition of WiFi is a strategic step forward to enable guests, especially business travellers, to make their time in the air as productive as possible.

About WestJet
We are proud to be Canada's most-preferred airline, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers.  We offer scheduled service to more than 85 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Through our regional airline, WestJet Encore, and with partnerships with airlines representing every major region of the world, we offer our guests more than 140 destinations in more than 20 countries.  Leveraging WestJet's extensive network, flight schedule and remarkable guest experience, WestJet Vacations delivers affordable, flexible travel experiences with a variety of accommodation options for every guest. Members of our WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more.  Our members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of WestJet flights and vacations packages on any day, at any time, to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods - even on seat sales.  For more information about everything WestJet, please visit www.westjet.com.

Recent recognition includes:

2014 Value Airline of the Year (Air Transport World magazine)
2013 Gold Stevie Award Best Transportation Company (American Business Awards)
2013 Chairman's Circle Award: WestJet Vacations (CPSC)
2013 Canada's Most Preferred Airline (Leger Marketing)
2013/2012 Canada's Most Attractive Employer (Randstad)
2013 WestJet RBC MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (Money Sense magazine)

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Caution regarding forward-looking statements
Certain information set forth in this news release, including information regarding our anticipated RASM for the first quarter of 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.

SOURCE WestJet