WestJet reports May traffic results

CALGARY, June 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ – WestJet today announced May traffic results with a load factor of 74.8 per cent. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 3.1 per cent year over year, and capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 7.0 per cent over the same period.

“May is considered a shoulder period where our aircraft deployment begins to shift back towards more domestic flying as we gear up for the busy summer season,” commented WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky. “An increase in our domestic capacity this month contributed to a lower year-over-year load factor, but we remain encouraged with the favorable pricing environment and strong year-over-year yields.”

WestJet’s enhanced schedule initiative between the cities of Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa began in May and is designed to better serve the needs of business travellers. The added conveniences and unique service promise have already been well received by business guests, and the airline is pleased with the initiative’s first month of performance in these important markets.

“I thank WestJetters for their commitment to providing a caring guest experience that is both fun and friendly for all of our guests. As importantly, I thank them for their diligent focus on safe on-time performance, which is paying off with improved year-over-year performance this month,” concluded Gregg Saretsky.