WestJet reports July load factor of 85.2 per cent

CALGARY, Aug. 8, 2018 /CNW/ - Today WestJet announced July 2018 traffic results with a load factor of 85.2 per cent, a decrease of 0.4 percentage points year over year. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 8.2 per cent year over year, while capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 8.7 per cent over the same period. WestJet welcomed an additional 144,000 guests in July, a year-over-year increase of 6.5 per cent.

"In July, we continued to expand our reach while attracting 2.4 million guests to WestJet's award-winning brand of caring and friendly service." Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. " I want to thank all of our guests for their continued loyalty as yesterday, August 7^th, we flew an estimated company record 80,219 guests across our network."

July 2018 traffic results

	July 2018	July 2017	Change
Load factor	85.2%	85.6%	-0.4 pts
ASMs (billions)	3.037	2.794	8.7%
RPMs (billions)	2.588	2.392	8.2%
	Year to Date 2018	Year to Date 2017	Change
Load factor	84.5%	83.3%	1.2 pts
ASMs (billions)	18.987	18.057	5.2%
RPMs (billions)	16.044	15.045	6.6%

In July, WestJet was named North America's Best Low-Cost Airline at Skytrax's World Airline Awards for 2018. WestJet also signed a definitive agreement to create a comprehensive transborder joint venture arrangement with Delta Air Lines. The joint venture will provide substantial reach between Canada and the U.S. with transborder service to more than 30 cities covering over 95 per cent of U.S.-Canada demand, providing customers of both airlines with more travel choices than ever before. WestJet and Delta will present the agreement for regulatory approvals in Canada and the U.S., and will work together to implement all aspects of the enhanced cooperation including expanded code sharing, more closely aligned frequent flyer program and reciprocal elite benefits, joint growth across their U.S./Canada transborder network, and co-location at key hubs with more seamless passenger and baggage transit. The agreement will also include the ability to cooperate on cargo accompanying passenger flights as well as corporate contracts.

Caution regarding forward-looking information
Certain information set forth in this news release is forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. By its nature, forward-looking information is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond WestJet's control. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on WestJet's current forecasts and strategy, the expected demand environment, the utilization of our fleet, the forward-curve for jet fuel price, the expected exchange rate of the Canadian dollar to the U.S. dollar, our expectations regarding the timing and impact of introducing new, and building upon existing, aircraft, destinations, technologies and initiatives; our expectations regarding expansion into new markets and our ability to create demand in those markets; our expectations regarding the success of our competitive strategy; our expectations regarding the consummation, regulatory approval in Canada and the U.S., and impact of the joint venture, but may vary due to factors including, but not limited to, changes in guest demand, changes in fuel prices, delays in aircraft delivery, general economic conditions, competitive environment, ability to effectively implement and maintain critical systems and other factors and risks described in WestJet's public reports and filings which are available under WestJet's profile at 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 

Together with WestJet's regional airline, WestJet Encore, we offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in over 20 countries through our airline partnerships. WestJet Vacations offers affordable, flexible vacations to more than 60 destinations and the choice of more than 800 hotels, resorts, condos and villas.  Members of the WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of flights and vacations packages to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods, and have access to Member Exclusive fares offering deals to WestJet destinations throughout our network and those of our partner airlines.

WestJet is proud to be recognized as Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice winner – North America for 2017 and 2018 in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines. The airline was also named the Travellers' Choice Winner – Economy, North America, 2018. All awards are based on authentic reviews from the travelling public on TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site. We are one of very few airlines globally that does not commercially overbook.

WestJet is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol WJA. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.

Recent recognition includes:
2018 Best Low-Cost Airline in North America (Skytrax)
2018/2017 Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice Winner Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines – North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018 Travellers' Choice Winner – Economy, North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2017/2016 Canada's Most Trusted Airline (Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)
2016 Canada's most reputable company for Corporate Social Responsibility (Reputation Institute)
2016/2015/2014/2013/2012 Ranked top three for Canadian Brands (Canadian Business Magazine)
2016/2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (MoneySense magazine)

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SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership

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

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