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Airline achieves a record second quarter load factor of 81.6 per cent

CALGARY, July 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - WestJet today announced June 2012 traffic results with a load factor of 79 per cent. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 6.7 per cent year over year, and capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 2.3 per cent over the same period. The airline achieved a second quarter record load factor of 81.6 per cent and flew nearly 4.27 million guests in the quarter; an increase of 326,000 guests year over year.

"The strong June traffic results and the record second quarter load factor are evidence that guests are continuing to choose WestJet in record numbers. Advanced bookings for July and August remain strong, and I thank WestJetters for their commitment to providing a remarkable guest experience throughout the busy summer travel season, especially in light of some very challenging summer storm conditions in the past several weeks," commented WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky.

June 2012 traffic results

On June 4, 2012, WestJet launched new non-stop service seven times daily on weekdays between Toronto and New York City's LaGuardia Airport. The airline will add an eighth daily weekday flight beginning July 12 and has also extended the unique WestJet on-time service promise, which debuted on flights between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal last year, to flights between LaGuardia and Toronto. Guests travelling to New York-LaGuardia from these three cities will also enjoy the added conveniences of priority screening in Toronto on weekdays, no extra fees for taking an earlier flight and no added fees for re-accommodating a guest that missed a flight but arrived at the airport within two hours of their scheduled departure.

"A high frequency schedule to New York, coupled with added conveniences, is an integral part of our strategy to welcome more business travellers on board," added Gregg Saretsky.

On June 27, 2012, WestJet announced its first reciprocal frequent flyer program partnership. Members of the WestJet Rewards program can now earn WestJet dollars on all flights marketed and operated by American Airlines and its affiliates, American Eagle and AmericanConnection. This provides a great advantage to WestJet Rewards members, particularly business travellers who fly internationally, as they can now earn WestJet dollars on American Airlines' global network of over 250 destinations throughout North America, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and Asia.

"This frequent flyer partnership is the first of many to come. As the program expands, WestJet Rewards members will have more opportunities to earn WestJet dollars even faster as they fly with WestJet and on our partner carriers' networks," commented Bob Cummings, Executive Vice-President, Sales, Marketing and Guest Experience.

Caution regarding forward-looking statements Certain information set forth in this news release, including information regarding advanced bookings and the expansion of frequent flyer partnerships, contains forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond WestJet's control. These forward-looking statements are based on WestJet's existing strategy and currently available implementation plans, agreements and bookings, but may vary due to factors including, but not limited to, changes in guest demand, regulatory and competitive environment and general economic conditions. These and additional risk factors are discussed in WestJet's most recent annual information form and in other documents WestJet files from time to time with securities regulatory authorities, which are available under WestJet's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Readers are cautioned that undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements as actual results may vary materially from the forward-looking statements. WestJet does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except as is required by law.

About WestJetWestJet is Canada's preferred airline, offering scheduled service throughout its 76-city North American and Caribbean network. Inducted into Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures Hall of Fame and named one of Canada's best employers, WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. Named a J.D. Power 2011 Customer Service Champion, WestJet offers increased legroom and leather seats on its modern fleet of 99 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. With future confirmed deliveries for an additional 36 aircraft through 2018, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world.

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SOURCE WestJet