WestJet reports April load factor of 83.6 per cent

CALGARY, May 4 /CNW/ – WestJet today announced April traffic results with a load factor of 83.6 per cent. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 11.8 per cent year over year, and capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 12.3 per cent over the same period.

“We are very happy with the double-digit traffic growth and this month’s load factor, which is our second highest April ever,” commented WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky. “We are optimistic that demand for air travel will remain strong and the market will continue to absorb the fare levels necessary to offset elevated fuel costs.”

Leading into the Easter weekend, WestJet set a new single-day record for the airline by flying more than 51,000 guests on April 21, 2011. “Demand has kept pace with our capacity growth so far this year as consumers are consistently drawn towards our caring guest experience,” said Gregg Saretsky. “Our people truly set us apart and are the reason guests continue to choose WestJet.”

May marks the beginning of the summer flying season. Some of the highlights of WestJet’s 2011 summer schedule include launching service into Orange County-Anaheim, California, from Vancouver and Calgary, daily service from Vancouver to Maui and Honolulu, and daily service between Toronto and Cancun. Domestic highlights include expanded transcontinental service and improved frequencies among the eastern triangle cities of Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa.