WestJet announces record traffic in March
WestJet (TSE:WJA) said Tuesday that consumer traffic set a record in March, increasing just over 13% year-over-year as demand for travel continues to improve.
Capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 12.1%, resulting in an improved load factor, or a percentage of available seats filled. Load factor in March rose one point over the same period last year to 84.8%.
"Thus far, we are pleased with the strength of consumer demand and the market's ability to absorb fare increases as we navigate through a period of elevated fuel costs," said president and CEO Gregg Saretsky.
Specifically, the airline said that traffic has kept pace with capacity additions on trans-border and international routes.
For the first quarter, WestJet's traffic increased 11.7% over the previous year, while capacity rose 11.3%.
WestJet offers flights throughout its 71-city North American and Caribbean network.
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