CALGARY, Feb. 9, 2017 /CNW/ – WestJet today announced January 2017 traffic results with a load factor of 80.0 per cent. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 6.2 per cent year over year, and capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 6.3 per cent over the same period. The airline flew a record 1.9 million guests in January, a year-over-year increase of 7.1 per cent or approximately 123,000 additional guests.

“We continue to be pleased with our strong traffic growth as a record number of guests chose to fly with WestJet in January,” said WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky. “I want to thank our more than 12,000 WestJetters for their ongoing commitment to delivering our award winning brand of caring friendly service.”

In January, WestJet began non-stop service to Winnipeg from Hamilton International Airport as well as relaunching non-stop service to Edmonton and Halifax from Hamilton. Starting in January WestJet officially inaugurated service to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport from Calgary and Edmonton. WestJet also announced it will become the first Canadian carrier featuring non-stop, twice-weekly service between Calgary International Airport and Nashville’s Metropolitan Nashville Airport starting on May 4, 2017.