WestJet reports record January load factor of 78.8 per cent

Airline's revenue passenger miles increase 9.7 per cent

CALGARY , Feb. 3 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced January traffic results with a record load factor of 78.8 per cent. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) increased 9.7 per cent year over year, and capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 6.9 per cent over the same period.

"This is the sixth consecutive year that WestJet has achieved a new record load factor in January," commented WestJet President and CEO Sean Durfy. "In addition, we are very pleased to report RPM growth of almost 10 per cent and that 74,000 additional guests flew with us this January compared to January last year. These great traffic results help illustrate the success of our seasonal deployment strategy and the continuing strength of WestJet Vacations and the WestJet brand."

"As we continue to endure the challenges of an uncertain economy, we are happy to be starting 2010 on the right foot. We want to thank WestJetters for delivering these record results," said Sean Durfy. "We also want to congratulate WestJetters on their induction into Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures Hall of Fame."

    
                         January 2010 traffic results

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                                  January 2010   January 2009         Change
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    Load factor                          78.8%          76.8%       2.0 pts.
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    ASMs (billions)                      1.588          1.485           6.9%
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    RPMs (billions)                      1.252          1.141           9.7%
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"Our January schedule launched a number of new services to popular sun destinations including Vancouver to Los Angeles and Phoenix ; Kelowna to Las Vegas ; and Halifax and Moncton to Cancun," added Sean Durfy. "We now fly to 68 cities in over 12 countries in Canada , the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean. We will continue to grow our network, giving guests access to the places they want to go."

WestJet will report its fourth quarter results on February 17, 2010 . Following the release of these results, WestJet will hold its quarterly analysts' conference call at 9 a.m. MST ( 11 a.m. EST ). WestJet President and CEO Sean Durfy and Executive Vice-President of Finance and CFO Vito Culmone will discuss the airline's fourth quarter and year-end 2009 results and answer questions from financial analysts. The conference call is available by calling [phone] (in Toronto ) or through the toll-free telephone number [phone]. The call can also be heard live through an Internet webcast in the Media and Investors section of westjet.com.

About WestJet

WestJet is Canada's preferred airline, offering scheduled service throughout its 68-city North American and Caribbean network. Inducted into the corporate culture hall of fame after being named one of Canada's most admired corporate cultures in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in Canada . WestJet offers increased legroom, leather seats and live seatback television provided by Bell TV on its modern fleet of 86 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. With future confirmed deliveries for an additional 49 aircraft through 2016, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world.

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