WestJet reports April load factor of 82.7 per cent

CALGARY, May 7, 2013 /CNW/ – WestJet today announced April 2013 traffic results with a load factor of 82.7 per cent. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 3.2 per cent year over year, and capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), was 7.4 per cent higher over the same period. The airline flew 1.5 million guests in April, a year-over-year increase of 2.2 per cent or approximately 33,000 additional guests.

“We are pleased with the continued year-over-year growth in traffic, and have experienced the same soft patch reported by other North American carriers in April, which is not only attributable to the timing of the Easter and Passover holidays, but also the cancellation of some of the Thomas Cook capacity purchase commitments we were unable to resell so late in the season, and the loss of the one-time benefit from Air Canada’s labour uncertainty in the second quarter of 2012. We are however seeing stronger bookings in May and June,” said WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky. “WestJetters continue to demonstrate passion for our airline, and I thank them for the teamwork and dedication they show in providing our guests with a remarkable experience.”