Airline increases traffic by 9.8 per cent and
flies a record number of guests in December
CALGARY, Jan. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - WestJet today
announced December 2017 traffic
results with a load factor of 83.6 per cent, an increase of 2.8
percentage points year over year. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs),
or traffic, increased 9.8 per cent year over year, and capacity,
measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 6.0 per cent over the
same period. The airline flew a record 2.1 million guests in
December, a year-over-year increase of 10.0 per cent or
approximately 190,000 additional guests.
"We are very pleased with our significant growth in traffic, as
we reported a record December load factor and flew a record number
of guests in December," said WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky. "I want to thank our more than
13,000 WestJetters for their efforts in providing our guests with a
safe, caring and friendly travel experience through the extremely
busy holiday season."
December 2017
traffic results
|
December
2017
|
December
2016
|
Change
|
Load
factor
|
83.6%
|
80.8%
|
2.8 pts
|
ASMs
(billions)
|
2.754
|
2.598
|
6.0%
|
RPMs
(billions)
|
2.303
|
2.098
|
9.8%
|
|
Fourth quarter
2017
|
Fourth quarter
2016
|
Change
|
Load
factor
|
82.6%
|
80.2%
|
2.4 pts
|
ASMs
(billions)
|
7.659
|
7.253
|
5.6%
|
RPMs
(billions)
|
6.329
|
5.816
|
8.8%
|
|
Full Year
2017
|
Full year
2016
|
Change
|
Load
factor
|
83.6%
|
81.8%
|
1.8 pts
|
ASMs
(billions)
|
30.998
|
29.298
|
5.8%
|
RPMs
(billions)
|
25.904
|
23.968
|
8.1%
|
In December, WestJet and Delta Air Lines announced an agreement
to form a commercial joint venture which will offer customers
access to an extensive transborder route network, world-class
airline products, enhanced frequent flyer benefits, shared airport
facilities and amenities, and a more seamless travel experience.
The joint venture arrangement is subject to execution of definitive
arrangements, board approvals and applicable regulatory approvals
in Canada and the United States.
Caution regarding forward-looking information
Certain
information set forth in this news release, including, without
limitation, is "forward-looking information" within the meaning of
applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking information
includes, but is not limited to, information respecting: the
proposed joint venture and the parties' intention to deepen their
existing partnership; the anticipated benefits, amenities, and
product offerings expected to be provided to customers as a result
of the joint venture; the resulting impact on flight schedules, and
other network effects; and implementation of the joint venture
following receipt of required approvals and execution of definitive
agreements.
The forward-looking information contained in this document is
based on certain material factors and assumptions, including,
without limitation with respect to: the negotiation of definitive
agreements relating to the joint venture on terms and conditions
satisfactory to the parties; receipt, in a timely manner and on
acceptable terms, of applicable regulatory approvals in respect of
the transaction; board approvals being obtained; the anticipated
benefits of the joint venture, including strategic and operational
opportunities and benefits. Although WestJet believes that the
expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking
statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be
placed on the forward‐looking statements as WestJet can give no
assurance that they will prove to be correct.
By its nature, forward-looking information is subject to
numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond
WestJet's control. The risks and uncertainties that may impact
WestJet include, but are not limited to: potential delays in
obtaining applicable regulatory approvals; challenges to the
proposed joint venture, or the imposition of conditions in respect
thereof, by applicable regulatory authorities that reduce the
anticipated benefits of the joint venture or prevent the
implementation of such on satisfactory terms or at all; the ability
of WestJet to successfully implement its strategic initiatives and
whether such strategic initiatives will yield the expected
benefits; the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects;
changes in general economic and competitive conditions; operational
risks inherent in implementing the joint venture including risks
related to route scheduling and operations, network management, and
information technology and reporting systems; and other factors and
risks described in WestJet's public reports and filings. Readers
are urged to consult the risks set forth in WestJet's annual
information form and management's discussion and analysis for the
year ended December 31, 2016, which
are each available under WestJet's profile on SEDAR at sedar.com,
for important additional information.
Readers are cautioned that undue reliance should not be placed
on forward-looking information as actual results may vary
materially from the forward-looking information provided. WestJet
does not undertake to update, correct or revise any forward-looking
information as a result of any new information, future events or
otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.
About WestJet
WestJet is proud to be named Best
Airline in Canada and one of the
best Low Cost Airlines in North
America, based on authentic reviews from the travelling
public on Trip Advisor, the world's largest travel site. We are one
of very few airlines globally that does not commercially overbook.
Together with our regional airline, WestJet Encore, we offer
scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in
over 20 countries through our airline partnerships. WestJet
Vacations offers affordable, flexible vacations to more than 60
destinations and the choice of more than 800 hotels, resorts,
condos and villas. Members of the WestJet Rewards program
earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more.
Members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of flights and
vacations packages to any WestJet destination with no blackout
periods, and have access to Member Exclusive fares offering deals
to WestJet destinations throughout our network and those of our
partner airlines.
WestJet is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX)
under the symbol WJA. For more information about everything
WestJet, please visit westjet.com.
Recent recognition includes:
2017
Five-Star Airline in the Low-Cost Category (The Airline Passenger
Experience Association)
2017/2016 Canada's Most Trusted
Airline (Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)
2017 Best Airline in Canada and
Travellers' Choice Winner Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines –
North America (TripAdvisor
Travelers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2016 Canada's most reputable
company for Corporate Social Responsibility (Reputation
Institute)
2016/2015/2014/2013/2012 Ranked top three for Canadian Brands
(Canadian Business Magazine)
2016/2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in
Canada (MoneySense magazine)
2015/2011/2010/2008/2007/2006/2005 Canada's Most Admired Corporate Culture
(Waterstone Human Capital)
2015 Best Employers in Canada
(Aon Hewitt)
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SOURCE WestJet