News
Airline increases first quarter revenue passenger miles by 5.1 per cent

April 6, 2009, Calgary – WestJet today announced March traffic results
with a load factor of 81.9 per cent. Revenue passenger miles (RPM) increased
0.6 per cent year over year and capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASM), grew 6.3 per cent over the same period.

"Overall, we are pleased with these results and our ability to increase
our RPMs by 5.1 per cent for the quarter," said Sean Durfy, WestJet President
and CEO. "Given that last year's March benefited from Easter travel and a much
stronger economy, we are encouraged by our solid March load factor that hits
the top of our optimum operating range of 78 to 82 per cent.
    

"Lower fuel prices are helping our overall profitability, while our
expectations for first quarter revenue per available seat mile (RASM) remain
unchanged, at an expected decline of 10 to 12 per cent year over year,"
continued Sean Durfy.

                          March 2009 traffic results

     ————————————————————————-
                              March 2009      March 2008        Change
     ————————————————————————-
     Load factor                  81.9%           86.6%        (4.7 pts.)
     ————————————————————————-
     ASMs (billions)              1.521           1.431           6.3%
     ————————————————————————-
     RPMs (billions)              1.246           1.239           0.6%
     ————————————————————————-

     ————————————————————————-
                                 Q1 2009         Q1 2008        Change
     ————————————————————————-
     Load factor                  80.4%           81.9%        (1.5 pts.)
     ————————————————————————-
     ASMs (billions)              4.357           4.065           7.2%
     ————————————————————————-
     RPMs (billions)              3.502           3.331           5.1%
     ————————————————————————-

     "In the second quarter, our limited-time offer of a WestJet Price
Guarantee appears to have increased confidence and certainty for guests
hesitant to book in the current economic environment," added Sean Durfy. "Our
WestJetters continue to build trust and loyalty for our brand; we thank them
for their ongoing dedication that keeps us true to our high-value and low-cost
model."