WestJet has announced March traffic results with a load factor of 83.8%. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) increased 10.0% year over year, and capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 7.4% over the same period. The airline flew an additional 94,000 guests in March 2010 compared to March 2009.
"I am pleased with our March results," said WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky. "Our strong load factor and traffic growth indicate that WestJet's increased capacity, including the capacity that was previously operated through a significant charter agreement that was in place in the first quarter of 2009, is being profitably absorbed by the market. During the quarter, all of our additional ASMs were deployed into southern markets and benefited from WestJet's strong brand and strengthening sales channels. We continue to draw from our entire route network to fill our south-bound aircraft with a healthy mix of WestJet and WestJet Vacations guests."
"While our March and first quarter traffic results are encouraging and we see some recent strengthening in yields, we continue to anticipate a decline in year-over-year revenue per available seat mile of zero to 3% for the first quarter of 2010," said Gregg Saretsky.
