CALGARY, ALBERTA, May 4, 2006 (CCNMatthews via COMTEX News Network) --
Load Factor of 78.5% Surpasses Previous High
WestJet (TSX:WJA) today announced its traffic statistics for April 2006, featuring a 30.4% increase in revenue passenger miles (RPMs) to 763.8 million, up from 585.7 million in April 2005. Year to date, RPMs increased 21.6% to 3,064.3 million from 2,520.4 million in the same period in 2005.
Clive Beddoe, WestJet's President and CEO, commented: "Having recently announced the best first quarter in WestJet's history, we are pleased to continue this trend as we report record results for April. Our strong transborder performance contributed to favourable load factors as well as healthy yields."
WestJet's load factor for April 2006 increased 9.7 percentage points to 78.5% compared with 68.8% in April 2005. During the first four months of 2006, the company's load factor increased 6.8 percentage points to 79.2% compared with 72.4% during the same period in 2005.
Available seat miles (ASMs) grew 14.4% to 973.4 million in April 2006, up from 850.8 million in April 2005. Year to date, ASMs have increased 11.2% to 3,870.5 up from 3,481.0 million in the same four-month period in 2005.
Mr. Beddoe added: "Our efforts to provide the highest quality service to our guests, while maintaining our low-cost structure, are clearly paying off. Our fuel efficient modern fleet has helped to mitigate the ongoing concern of high fuel prices."
Marking its tenth anniversary this year, WestJet is Canada's leading low-fare airline offering scheduled service throughout its 33-city North American network. Named Canada's most respected corporation for customer service in 2005, WestJet pioneered low-cost high-value flying in Canada. With increased legroom and leather seats on its modern fleet of Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft, and live seatback television provided by Bell ExpressVu on the majority of its fleet, WestJet strives to be the number one choice for travellers.
SOURCE: WestJet
WestJet Media Relations Gillian Bentley (403) 444-2615 Website: http://www.westjet.com
Must be too tough for blastage to find something to bold!
