New High Standard set for January Loads

[Intentional Left Bank]

WestJet announces record January load factor of 76.8 per cent

Airline reports a 10.3 per cent increase in revenue passenger miles

CALGARY, Feb. 4 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced strong January traffic
results with a record January load factor of 76.8 per cent. Revenue passenger
miles (RPM) increased 10.3 per cent year over year and capacity, measured in
available seat miles (ASM), grew 9.4 per cent over the same period.

"We are pleased with our increased load factor for the month of January,"
commented Sean Durfy, WestJet President and CEO. "Our traffic results
demonstrate the success of our efforts to continue to profitably grow. With
over 35,000 more guests coming onboard this January compared to last, we are
further penetrating all the markets we serve.

"Given the continuing economic downturn, we are cautious with respect to
our year-over-year revenue per available seat mile (RASM) predictions. It is
difficult to compare the first quarter of 2009 to our record first quarter of
2008 that saw us increase RASM by eight per cent year over year. Our first
quarter of 2008 benefited from Easter taking place in March as well as a more
robust economy in Western Canada. Presently, we are seeing downward pressure
on our yields, contributing to an expected decline in year-over-year RASM for
the first quarter of 2009."

January 2009 traffic results

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January 2009 January 2008 Change
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Load factor 76.8% 76.2% 0.6 pts.
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ASM (billions) 1.485 1.357 9.4%
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RPM (billions) 1.141 1.034 10.3%
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"Our cost structure, value proposition and respected brand help us
weather the challenges of economic downturns," continued Sean Durfy. "With the
continued commitment and enthusiasm of our WestJetters we remain positive
about WestJet's strategy and outlook."

[jjj]

What does it all mean????

Maybe we should ask Strega!

[Four1oh]

Just call him by his other handle.

[Longtimer]

And the title in bold says:

WestJet announces record January load factor of 76.8 per cent

of course the previous year it was at a miserable 76.2 per cent.

[jjj]

Yes the load factor is only up .6 of a point but that is a single stat out of context.

The point is that the LF was achieved with a capacity growth of about 10.3 percent.

[invertedattitude]

The fact that an airline can manage to increase in any department during these hard times, and also during the slowest month of the year is something to be said.