Airline flies a record number of guests while improving on-time performance to 84.0 per cent

CALGARY, Sept. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ - WestJet today announced August 2015 traffic results with a load factor of 84.6 per cent. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 1.7 per cent year over year, and capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 7.3 per cent over the same period. The airline flew a record 2.0 million guests in August, a year-over-year increase of 2.3 per cent or approximately 44,000 additional guests, and achieved an on-time performance rate of 84.0 per cent in the month, an improvement of 6.3 percentage points year over year.

"We are pleased with our continued traffic growth as we welcomed almost two million guests on board in August, setting a new single-month record even as the Labour Day long weekend shifted out of August this year. The movement of this busy travel period into September contributed to the year-over-year decline from the all-time high load factor reported in August last year," said WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky. "My thanks go out to our more than 10,000 WestJetters for their continuing energy and passion through this busy summer period."

August 2015 traffic results

In August, WestJet took delivery of the first of its four wide-body Boeing 767-300ERW aircraft. Featuring a new teal and blue maple leaf-themed logo that will eventually appear on all WestJet aircraft, the airline's 767s will allow it to begin serving Europe and other regions of the world from Canada on a non-stop basis, including new service to London (Gatwick) beginning in May 2016. Inaugural wide-body flights between Calgary and Toronto will begin in September 2015, with service from Alberta to Hawaii and Toronto to Montego Bay beginning this winter.

Caution regarding forward-looking information
Certain information set forth in this news release, including, without limitation, information regarding WestJet's expected timing of its 767 service is forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law. By its nature, forward-looking information is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond the Corporation's control, including those risk factors described in WestJet's public reports and filings which are available under WestJet's profile at www.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
We are proud to be Canada's highest-rated airline for customer service, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers. We offer scheduled service to 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Through our regional airline, WestJet Encore, and with partnerships with airlines representing every major region of the world, we offer our guests more than 120 destinations in more than 20 countries. Leveraging WestJet's extensive network, flight schedule and remarkable guest experience, WestJet Vacations delivers affordable, flexible travel experiences with a variety of accommodation options for every guest. Members of our WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Our members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of WestJet flights and vacation packages on any day, at any time, to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods  ̶  even on seat sales. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.

Recent recognition includes:
2015 Best Employers in Canada (Aon Hewitt)
2014 Interbrand Canada's Best Canadian Brands (Rank #20)
2014 Brands of the Year (Strategy magazine)
2014 Canada's Most Preferred Airline (Ipsos)
2014 Value Airline of the Year (Air Transport World magazine)
2014/2013/2012 Canada's Most Attractive Employer (Randstad)
2014/2013 WestJet RBC MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (Money Sense magazine and RewardsCanada.ca)
2014/2013/2012/2011 Highest equity score: airline, vacation package supplier brands (Harris/Decima EquiTrend Study)

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SOURCE WestJet