WestJet Airlines September 2011 operational results announced

WestJet Airlines recently announced its operational results for the month of September 2011, and reported that its larger traffic growth had failed to match up to added capacity.

Calgary-based WestJet Airlines while providing details about its operational results stated that its passenger traffic growth failed to keep pace with increased capacity even as its load factor declined from 75.5% to 74.7% for September this year as compared to the same period in 2010. WestJet Airline’s load factor was 80.1% as compared to 79.6% y-o-y. Besides, according to Q3 2011 results ending September 30 the passenger traffic increased 7.7%, whereas its capacity increased 7.13%.

Gregg Saretsky, President and CEO of WestJet Airlines, said that the airline’s traffic in terms of revenue passenger miles (RPMs) grew 6.9%, while its capacity increased 8% in September this year. According to Saretsky, there was a slight decline in September traffic when compared to the airline’s capacity growth despite increased fare sales. He also said that forward bookings, however, continue to be healthy as the airline braces to implement its winter schedule.

Meanwhile, WestJet Airlines recently disclosed that its interline agreement with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has developed into a strong first European codeshare partnership. The first codeshare flight which was launched on September 26, 2011, allows both the airlines’ passengers convenient and affordable connections through Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.