WestJet reports record April loads

WestJet reports that its load factors in April reached record levels. The carrier’s load factor hit 86.2%, with its revenue passenger miles growing by 8.2% year over year. Capacity — measured in available seat miles (ASMs) — was up by 5% over the same period. Compared to April 2011, WestJet handled over 120,000 more passengers in April 2012, hitting a total of 1.48 million passengers for the month. Noting that the new load factor record is 2.2 points higher than the previous record of 84%, WestJet president and CEO, Gregg Saretsky commented: “The demand environment remains strong and we are optimistic that this positive momentum will continue throughout 2012.” WestJet is now transitioning to its summer schedule, which will see the addition of new destinations, including Kingston, Jamaica (which launched on April 30, 2012) and service to Aruba, Chicago and Whitehorse that all start in May. As well, the schedule to New York’s LaGuardia airport starts on June 4, 2012, with seven daily non-stop flights each business day between Toronto and New York City, increasing to eight daily flights in July. Go to http://www.westjet.com for more.