WestJet reports record June load factor of 80.4 per cent

Airline increases June traffic by 12.3% and updates second quarter 2016 RASM expectation

CALGARY, July 11, 2016 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced June 2016 traffic results with a record load factor of 80.4 per cent an increase of 3.5 percentage points year over year. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 12.3 per cent year over year, and capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 7.5 per cent over the same period. In the second quarter of 2016, the airline achieved a load factor of 80.8 per cent, an increase of 2.7 percentage points year over year, and flew a record 5.3 million guests, a year over year increase of 7.0 per cent or approximately 345,000 additional guests.

"We are very pleased with our double-digit traffic growth as we flew a record numbers of guests in the second quarter and also celebrated WestJet Encore's third birthday," said WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky. "As we transition into our busy summer season, I want to thank our almost 12,000 WestJetters for their commitment to providing our brand of friendly caring service each and every day."

June 2016 traffic results

	June 2016	June 2015	Change
Load factor	80.4%	76.9%	3.5 pts
ASMs (billions)	2.350	2.187	7.5%
RPMs (billions)	1.889	1.682	12.3%
	Second quarter 2016	Second quarter 2015	Change
Load factor	80.8%	78.1%	2.7 pts
ASMs (billions)	7.116	6.655	6.9%
RPMs (billions)	5.749	5.199	10.6%
	Year-to-date 2016	Year-to-date 2015	Change
Load factor	81.5%	79.9%	1.6 pts
ASMs (billions)	14.410	13.473	7.0%
RPMs (billions)	11.737	10.765	9.0%

WestJet now expects its RASM for the second quarter of 2016 to decline between 5.5 to 6.0 per cent year over year, as compared to its previous guidance of a decline between 7.5 to 9.5 per cent year over year, with the difference primarily driven by a higher second quarter load factor than previously expected.

In June, WestJet began flying new limited-addition non-stop seasonal peak summer travel routes between Brandon, MB and Toronto, ON, and between Vancouver, BC and both Hamilton, ON, and London, ON. Also in June, WestJet announced new seasonal non-stop service connecting Edmonton, AB, and Hamilton, ON, and Winnipeg, MB, with Kelowna, BC.

In May, WestJet launched its new non-stop service between London (Gatwick) and six Canadian cities (Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, and St John's). London (Gatwick) is WestJet's third transatlantic destination. In 2014, it launched non-stop service from St. John's to Dublin, followed by service between Halifax and Glasgow in 2015.

Caution regarding forward-looking information
Certain information set forth in this news release, including, without limitation, information regarding our expectation that second quarter 2016 RASM is expected to decline between 5.5 to 6.0 per cent year over year is forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. The financial outlook information provided is a preliminary estimate only, is subject to the completion of WestJet's quarterly close process and has not been reviewed by WestJet's auditors. Forward-looking information, including any financial outlook, is based on a number of material factors and assumptions and is provided to assist investors in understanding our assessment of WestJet's future plans, operations and expected results. It may not be appropriate for other purposes and is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

By its nature, forward-looking information is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond the Corporation's control, including those risk factors described in WestJet's public reports and filings which are available under WestJet's profile at www.sedar.com.  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. 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
We are proud to be Canada's highest-rated airline for customer service, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers. We offer scheduled service to 100 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 150 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 westjet.com. 

Recent recognition includes:
2015/2011/2010/2008/2007/2006/2005 Canada's Most Admired Corporate Culture (Waterstone Human Capital)
2015 Best Employers in Canada (Aon Hewitt)
2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (MoneySense magazine)
2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in the Canada's Choice ranking (RewardsCanada.ca)
2014 Interbrand Canada's Best Canadian Brands (Rank #20)
2014 Brands of the Year (Strategy magazine)
2014 Canada's Most Preferred Airline (Ipsos)
2014 Value Airline of the Year (Air Transport World magazine)
2014/2013/2012 Canada's Most Attractive Employer (Randstad)
2014/2013/2012/2011 Highest equity score: airline, vacation package supplier brands (Harris/Decima EquiTrend Study)

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SOURCE WestJet

WestJet Media Relations, 1-888-WJ-4-NEWS (1-888-954-6397), Email: [email protected], Website: www.westjet.com; WestJet Investor Relations, 1-877-493-7853, Email: [email protected]