CALGARY — WestJet saw loads slip ever so slightly in February to 82.5% from 82.6% the previous year with revenue passenger miles (RPMs) increasing 9.0% year over year, and capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), up 9.3% over the same period. The airline flew an additional 68,000 passengers in the month compared to February last year.

“We are extremely pleased with our strong February load factor given our increased capacity and a 9% improvement in RPMs,” commented WestJet president and CEO Sean Durfy. “Focusing our growth in southern U.S., Mexican and Caribbean markets continues to benefit both our scheduled service and WestJet Vacations. While our first quarter is traditionally a weaker period for domestic travel, directing the majority of new capacity towards our international expansion is allowing us to partially offset this seasonality. We are seeing continual demand for our growing number of popular vacation destinations, demonstrating the ongoing benefit of our seasonal deployment strategy.”

He said the “network, balance sheet and increasing capabilities in the vacations space are all contributing to a breakthrough winter for WestJet Vacations”.

Durfy also commented on expectations for first quarter revenue per available seat mile (RASM).

“While we are seeing signs of a slight, albeit slow, improvement in the demand environment, first quarter RASM is tracking to an anticipated decline of less than 3%. We are encouraged by these positive indications and feel well positioned to capitalize on improving industry conditions.”