WestJet reports January load factor of 80.9 per cent

Airline ties January load factor record

CALGARY, Feb. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - WestJet today announced January 2014 traffic results with a load factor of 80.9 per cent. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 8.4 per cent year over year, and capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 8.3 per cent over the same period. The airline flew 1.6 million guests in January, a year-over-year increase of 8.8 per cent or approximately 129,000 additional guests.

"We have had a great start to the year by tying our load factor record for January, as we saw strong traffic growth and welcomed more guests into our growing network," said WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky. "I want to thank WestJetters for the phenomenal level of caring and commitment they demonstrated as we ensured our guests got to their destinations safely, especially given the challenging winter weather conditions in the early part of January."

January 2014 traffic results

In January, WestJet announced its most comprehensive summer schedule yet, adding five new routes, increasing frequency on 20 existing routes across its network, and moving five seasonal routes to year-round service. The airline announced new daily non-stop flights from Calgary to New York's JFK International Airport, service increases to 15 popular southern destinations, and WestJet Encore's eastern expansion this year with flights beginning June 27, 2014 between Toronto and Thunder Bay, and between Thunder Bay and Winnipeg.

About WestJet
We are proud to be Canada's most-preferred airline, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers.  We offer scheduled service to more than 85 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 140 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 vacations 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 www.westjet.com.

Recent recognition includes:

2014 Value Airline of the Year (Air Transport World magazine)
2013 Gold Stevie Award Best Transportation Company (American Business Awards)
2013 Chairman's Circle Award: WestJet Vacations (CPSC)
2013 Canada's Most Preferred Airline (Leger Marketing)
2013/2012 Canada's Most Attractive Employer (Randstad)
2013 WestJet RBC MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (Money Sense magazine)

Connect with WestJet on Facebook at www.facebook.com/westjet
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Subscribe to WestJet on YouTube at www.youtube.com/westjet
Read the WestJet blog at blog.westjet.com

Caution regarding forward-looking statements
Certain information set forth in this news release, including information regarding WestJet's summer schedule and the eastern expansion of WestJet Encore contains forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond WestJet's control. These forward-looking statements are based on WestJet's existing forecast and currently available network plans, agreements and bookings, but may vary due to factors including, but not limited to, changes in guest demand, regulatory and competitive environment and general economic conditions. These and additional risk factors are discussed in WestJet's most recent Annual Information Form and in other documents WestJet files from time to time with securities regulatory authorities, which are available under WestJet's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Readers are cautioned that undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements as actual results may vary materially from the forward-looking statements. WestJet does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except as is required by law.

SOURCE WestJet

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