CALGARY — WestJet is on a winning streak, which has lasted 51 consecutive quarters.

In its fourth quarter and year-end results for 2017, the airline has announced its 51st consecutive quarter of profitability, with fourth quarter net earnings of $48.5 million, or $0.42 per diluted share compared to $55.2 million, or $0.47 per diluted share reported in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Full-year net earnings totaled $283.6 million, or $2.42 per diluted share, compared with $295.5 million, or $2.45 per diluted share in the full-year 2016.

Moreover, for the full-year and in each quarter of 2017, WestJet flew a record number of passengers. Based on the trailing 12 months, it recorded a return on invested capital of 10.0%, down 0.2 percentage points from the 10.2% reported in the previous quarter.

“In 2017, we continued our evolution toward becoming a global airline while flying a record number of guests and achieving our highest annual load factor in our history. We announced an agreement to enter a joint venture with Delta Airlines, which will give Canadians more access to our low fares and growing network,” said WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky.

Saretsky also highlighted the delivery of Canada’s first Boeing 737 MAX aircraft last fall, which went into service with “high reliability before the busy holiday season”. He also went on to praise the more than 13,000 WestJetters for their “work and dedication this quarter, especially in light of the severe cold and weather-related operational challenges.”