WestJet has announced its March 2009 and first quarter (1Q09) traffic results, which include a load factor for the month of 81.9%.
That load factor was down 4.7 percentage points (pp) from March 2008's figure of 86.6%. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) increased by 0.6 per cent year over year from 1.239 billion to 1.246 billion and capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 6.3 per cent over the same period from 1.431 billion to 1.521 billion.
For 1Q09, RPMs grew by 5.1% to 3.502 billion from 3.331 billion in 1Q08. ASMs offered were 4.357 billion, a 7.2% increase on 1Q08's figure of 4.065 billion. This resulted in a load factor drop of 1.5 pp.
"Overall, we are pleased with these results and our ability to increase our RPMs by 5.1 per cent for the quarter," said Sean Durfy, WestJet president and CEO. "Given that last year's March benefited from Easter travel and a much stronger economy, we are encouraged by our solid March load factor that hits the top of our optimum operating range of 78%-82%."
"Lower fuel prices are helping our overall profitability, while our expectations for first quarter revenue per available seat mile (RASM) remain unchanged, at an expected decline of 10%-12% year-over-year," added Durfy.
Looking ahead, Durfy noted, "In the second quarter, our limited-time offer of a WestJet Price Guarantee appears to have increased confidence and certainty for guests hesitant to book in the current economic environment."
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