CALGARY, Sept. 10, 2018 /CNW/ – Today WestJet announced August 2018 traffic results with a load factor of 89.0 per cent, a decrease of 1.6 percentage points year over year. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 8.1 per cent year over year, while capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 10.0 per cent over the same period. WestJet welcomed an additional 128,000 guests in August, a year-over-year increase of 5.4 per cent. Year-to-date we continue to see traffic growth outpace capacity additions.
“In August, we flew two of our busiest-ever traffic days with more than 80,000 guests choosing one of our four airline brands. In only its second full month of operation, Canadians continue to embrace Swoop with load factors consistently above ninety-five per cent,” said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. “I want to thank every individual WestJetter for continuing to provide our guests with an award-winning service experience.”
August 2018 traffic results
| August 2018 | August 2017 | Change | |
| Load factor | 89.0% | 90.6% | -1.6 pts. |
| ASMs (billions) | 3.074 | 2.794 | 10.0% |
| RPMs (billions) | 2.736 | 2.531 | 8.1% |
| Year-to-Date 2018 | Year-to-Date 2017 | Change | |
| Load factor | 85.1% | 84.3% | 0.8 pts. |
| ASMs (billions) | 22.062 | 20.851 | 5.8% |
| RPMs (billions) | 18.780 | 17.575 | 6.9% |
In August, WestJet became the first Canadian airline to launch an artificial intelligence chatbot. Named Juliet, the chatbot offers WestJet’s guests more convenience, and enables travellers to easily manage many aspects of their trip including destination inspiration and discovery, flight booking and day-of travel information. Juliet is available in English and French through Facebook Messenger. To chat with Juliet, please visit: http://m.me/westjet.
WestJet is also giving Canadians more sun and fun this winter. As part of the winter schedule, WestJet announced more flights from WestJet hubs to domestic, transborder, international and sun destinations including Maui, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Orlando, Huatulco, Puerto Vallarta and Belize. The airline also announced new twice-weekly, non-stop service between Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ) and new weekly, non-stop service between Skyxe Saskatoon Airport (YXE) and Orlando International Airport (MCO). The services start November 3, 2018 and December 7, 2018, respectively.