From systems integrator to multi-domain solutions provider (video)
Philipp von Brandenstein, Head of Corporate Communications at Rheinmetall, explains how Eurosatory 2026 marked a new stage in the company's evolution.
WestJet reports December 2009 and full-year traffic data
WestJet has announced its traffic results for December 2009 – with a record load factor for the month of 81.7% – plus full-year figures.
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) increased 8.1% year over year to 1.279 billion from 1.183 billion, and capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 7.0% over the same period to 1.565 billion from 1.462 billion, pushing the load factor up by 0.8 percentage points from December 2008’s 80.9%.
For the whole of 2009, RPMs generated totalled 13.835 billion, a 0.8% increase on 2008’s figure of 13.731 billion. ASMs went up 2.6% to 17.588 billion from 17.139 billion. This resulted in the annual load factor dropping by 1.4 pp to 78.7% from 80.1%.
“We are very pleased with our strong December load factor, which is accompanied by 42,000 additional guests compared to December last year,” commented WestJet president and CEO Sean Durfy. “This busy month for holiday travel was further enhanced with a number of new vacation hot spots that we launched during the quarter. WestJet Vacations’ increasing popularity is contributing to current performance as well as advance bookings.”
“We have made considerable progress in our call centre service levels since our reservation system cutover in October, and we are on our way to fully restoring our high-quality service,” added Sean Durfy. “Despite record loads, winter storms and increased security measures over the busy holiday period, we completed 98.3% of our scheduled flights in December, thanks largely to the determination and drive of our WestJetters who excelled under challenging circumstances. We are tremendously appreciative of their continued dedication and are honoured to have recently ranked as one of Canada’s top employers in Hewitt Associates 50 Best Employers in Canada Study.”
Durfy commented on the airline’s revenue per available seat mile (RASM) for the fourth quarter of 2009, noting, “Our expectations for fourth quarter RASM remain in line with our previous guidance of an 11%-13% year-over-year decline.”
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![From systems integrator to multi-domain solutions provider (video)]()
-
![US Pentagon pushes for major reform of defence acquisition system]()
US Pentagon pushes for major reform of defence acquisition system
The US Department of Defense has requested new contracting authorities from Congress, using the Army's MV-75 Cheyenne programme to demonstrate how competition, digital engineering and closer industry collaboration could accelerate acquisitions.
-
![US speeds up B61-13 nuclear bomb production as programme moves further ahead of schedule]()
US speeds up B61-13 nuclear bomb production as programme moves further ahead of schedule
The US government plans to accelerate production even further after achieving key B61-13 milestones months ahead of schedule, as the programme advances amid growing US-China strategic competition.
-
![Canada’s C$2 billion ACSV deal reinforces new defence industrial strategy as allies align]()
Canada’s C$2 billion ACSV deal reinforces new defence industrial strategy as allies align
General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada is the country’s first strategic partner under the Defence Industrial Strategy’s Strategic Partnership Framework, an effort to provide companies with confidence to invest and boost the defence labour force.
-
![New UK armed forces minister frames High North defence as vital to “homeland security”]()
New UK armed forces minister frames High North defence as vital to “homeland security”
The UK’s Minister for the Armed Forces Louise Sandher-Jones made her first appearance in the role before the House of Commons Defence Committee this week to highlight efforts to improve capability in the High North.
-
![Canada seeks to strengthen industrial ties with the US on classified programmes]()
Canada seeks to strengthen industrial ties with the US on classified programmes
Ottawa explores expanding defence-industrial cooperation with Washington into sensitive programmes, an approach that could reshape NORAD modernisation, strengthen North American supply chains and create new opportunities for defence contractors.
