WestJet "Passenger Perks" - WestJet mired in travel slump

http://www.calgaryherald.com/WestJet+mired+travel+slump/1959792/story.html

CALGARY - There was no relief from the recession’s chill in August, Calgary-based WestJet reported Thursday, as it noted declines of more than four per cent in both load factor and pricing versus 12 months ago.

“Day to day, we are tackling the challenges of the weakened demand environment,” said president and chief executive Sean Durfy in a news release.

“Just as importantly, we remain focused on our big-picture initiatives and building the foundation for continued success. We are confident that improving our aircraft delivery schedule, enhancing our international service - to the benefit of both WestJet and WestJet Vacations - and our other strategic initiatives are paving the way for our long-term profitable growth.”

WestJet reported an August load factor of 84.5 per cent, down from 88.4 per cent during a robust August 2008. Revenue passenger miles, a measure of pricing, fell 4.7 per cent.

It is good that WJ can be mired in the economic slump and still be one of the most profitable airlines around!!

Even if an airline had 100% loads, the media would find fault if they dropped to 98%!!!

Then again, the newspapers are terrible when it comes to reporting their circulation, or "readership factor" and bragging that Paper N has more readership than Paper G!!

Big whoop! When was the last time you paid for a newspaper in a hotel or airport? The hotels pay about 10 cents a copy so there is lots of circulation but they lose money everyday, just like lots of bums in seats because of cheap fares, but airlines losing every day!

I'd rather own the small paper with less circulation, but be making money every day!!! Because eventually, my profitable little newspaper has a chance to become a slightly bigger and profitable newspaper. Then I just repeat over time until eventually, I'm a big newspaper!!