WestJet Airlines warns of lower profits due to seat sales, expansion

Delsterx · 12-09-2002, 05:00 PM

CALGARY (CP) - WestJet Airlines, Canada's dominant low-cost carrier, warned Monday that seat sales by competitors are reducing its passenger load and will result in lower profits for the current quarter.

The Calgary-based airline, which has been the most profitable among its industry peers in Canada, said the percentage of seats sold per plane, or load factor, through November fell to 62.5 per cent compared to 66.4 per cent for the same month in 2001. For the first eleven months of the year, WestJet's load factor was 73.4 per cent compared with 74.5 per cent last year.

"The weak North American travel market has spawned an increased volume of seat sales and discounted fares by all airlines as carriers work to entice travellers to fly," WestJet president Clive Beddoe said in a release.

"Our market stimulation initiatives have made progress in mitigating load factor erosion, however they have resulted in lower yields," he said.

"In addition, our own substantial capacity increases during one of the slowest travel periods of the year has put further negative pressure on loads beyond that which we had originally anticipated."

WestJet took the unusual step of notifying the investment community so it could lower earnings expectations "to a level more in line with the current environment" for its financial quarter, which ends Dec. 31.

In mid-day trading on the Toronto stock market, WestJet shares (TSX:WJA) fell $2.85 to $17.55.

Despite the decline in revenues, WestJet said it still expects to be profitable this quarter and will continue its aggressive expansion plans.

The airline, which began flying into Toronto's Pearson International - Canada's busiest airport - this year, still expects to increase capacity by at least 40 per cent, and grow its fleet by 11 new, more fuel-efficient planes.

Sandy Campbell, WestJet's chief financial officer, said the airline's strategy of keeping costs down by replacing older, more costly planes and increasing its percentage of Internet bookings have continued to lower costs.

WestJet started flying nearly seven years ago in Western Canada and has recently expanded to Ontario and the Maritimes, serving 22 Canadian cities altogether. It plans to begin flying into Halifax by late February next year.

But its control of the low-frills, low-cost market has recently been challenged by two new airline brands from Air Canada, including Calgary-based Zip and Tango.

© Copyright 2002 The Canadian Press

JOHN JOHNSON · 12-09-2002, 07:44 PM

How'd that sound?

KJC · 12-09-2002, 08:01 PM

Low employee productivity is also a major concern for the discount carrier. Analysts cite as an example certain employees spending endless hours posting on diecast aircraft forums while pretending to work!

JOHN JOHNSON · 12-09-2002, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KJC
Low employee productivity is also a major concern for the discount carrier. Analysts cite as an example certain employees spending endless hours posting on diecast aircraft forums while pretending to work!

Best joke ever!

bigredvmi · 12-09-2002, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KJC
Low employee productivity is also a major concern for the discount carrier. Analysts cite as an example certain employees spending endless hours posting on diecast aircraft forums while pretending to work!

ROFLMAO!!!!!

Westjetter · 12-10-2002, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by KJC
Low employee productivity is also a major concern for the discount carrier. Analysts cite as an example certain employees spending endless hours posting on diecast aircraft forums while pretending to work!

Phhhhhhhht. My productivity is 95%. Keep in mind that I work overnights and take about 3 calls during the night! What is the missing 5% you may ask - its my lunch break!

KJC · 12-10-2002, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Westjetter
Keep in mind that I work overnights and take about 3 calls during the night!

And two of them are from Eddy, right? C'mon! Fess up!

Westjetter · 12-10-2002, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by KJC
And two of them are from Eddy, right? C'mon! Fess up!

Once in a while yeah, but for the most part its odd questions about bookings.

ba777-236 · 12-10-2002, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Westjetter
Keep in mind that I work overnights and take about 3 calls during the night!

Wait a minute..... you answer only 3 calls every night?!

Now wonder you're on DAC soo much

Westjetter · 12-10-2002, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ba777-236
Wait a minute..... you answer only 3 calls every night?!

Now wonder you're on DAC soo much

Ok. Ok. I answer more - but they all tend to be really easy.

And there are about 45 minutes between each call...

ba777-236 · 12-10-2002, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Westjetter
Ok. Ok. I answer more - but they all tend to be really easy.

And there are about 45 minutes between each call...

That's still a nice (and cushy) job you've got there Dave

Westjetter · 12-10-2002, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ba777-236
That's still a nice (and cushy) job you've got there Dave

It is a nice job, but its certainly not cushy! You should hear some of the calls I get!

honduras_socal · 12-11-2002, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Westjetter
It is a nice job, but its certainly not cushy! You should hear some of the calls I get!

what exactly do you do, if you dont mind me asking.I know you work for westjet but thats about it.

Westjetter · 12-11-2002, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by honduras_socal
what exactly do you do, if you dont mind me asking.I know you work for westjet but thats about it.

I work in Customer Care - we basically are caretakers for the guests who fly us. If they have concerns, complaints, compliments, want to book buddy pass flights, want specific info (such as baggage restrictions), they phone us here at Customer Care.

Customer Care is also responsible for guest movements during Irregular Operations (IROPs). We mass move guests to other flights, work out compensation (if nessecary), and communicate this information with the airport.

We also are the support department for the Sales Centre and Airports. We do "Queues" - if a Reservation needs to be looked at (say, if a refund to a Credit Card has to be done) we take care of it!

JOHN JOHNSON · 12-11-2002, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Westjetter
I work in Customer Care - we basically are caretakers for the guests who fly us. If they have concerns, complaints, compliments, want to book buddy pass flights, want specific info (such as baggage restrictions), they phone us here at Customer Care.

Customer Care is also responsible for guest movements during Irregular Operations (IROPs). We mass move guests to other flights, work out compensation (if nessecary), and communicate this information with the airport.

We also are the support department for the Sales Centre and Airports. We do "Queues" - if a Reservation needs to be looked at (say, if a refund to a Credit Card has to be done) we take care of it!

or do they call and butch all over you over their lost luggages that contains toys and tape-recorders? I am certain that you excell with Customer care as you have talk hours over the line.

When the phone bill hit your company and your supervisor will say "Who the F*ckin' idiot have talk over that phone number!?"

!

Westjetter · 12-11-2002, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JOHN JOHNSON
or do they call and butch all over you over their lost luggages that contains toys and tape-recorders? I am certain that you excell with Customer care as you have talk hours over the line.

When the phone bill hit your company and your supervisor will say "Who the F*ckin' idiot have talk over that phone number!?"

!

I acutally have never called a sex hotline in my life, and I dont plan too!

Westjetter · 12-11-2002, 03:30 AM

Here is a picture of the entrance to CCD

Westjetter · 12-11-2002, 03:31 AM

And the insides of CCD

Westjetter · 12-11-2002, 03:32 AM

And some CCDers' hard at work. No, thats not me...

Yes the picture is fuzzy - i forgot to focus!

tdh8192 · 12-11-2002, 10:36 AM

How about a few more pictures of that woman? She's hot!

Delsterx · 12-11-2002, 02:40 PM

She's got a nice festive rack!

ARIUS · 12-11-2002, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KJC
Low employee productivity is also a major concern for the discount carrier. Analysts cite as an example certain employees spending endless hours posting on diecast aircraft forums while pretending to work!

Now that's funny!!!

Tracon Doug · 12-11-2002, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Delsterx
She's got a nice festive rack!

Aboot a 2-bagger on that face though, eh?

KJC · 12-12-2002, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tdh8192
How about a few more pictures of that woman? She's hot!

If you guys are interested in seeing more photos of her and other girls in the office, you'll have to go to Westjetter's website:

www.westjettersXXXhornysluts.com

Just don't believe the ads for those pills that say they'll add another 3" to your d i c k! Sheeesh what a ripoff!!

(Not that I'd be interested in something like that mind you! I heard about them from my friend, umm, Buford!!)

Westjetter · 12-12-2002, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by KJC
If you guys are interested in seeing more photos of her and other girls in the office, you'll have to go to Westjetter's website:

www.westjettersXXXhornysluts.com

Just don't believe the ads for those pills that say they'll add another 3" to your d i c k! Sheeesh what a ripoff!! (Not that I'd be interested in something like that mind you!)

Hey - that is a bit extreme.

12-09-2002, 05:00 PM	#1
Delsterx Senior Collector Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Victoria BC Age: 33 Posts: 291	WestJet Airlines warns of lower profits due to seat sales, expansion CALGARY (CP) - WestJet Airlines, Canada's dominant low-cost carrier, warned Monday that seat sales by competitors are reducing its passenger load and will result in lower profits for the current quarter. The Calgary-based airline, which has been the most profitable among its industry peers in Canada, said the percentage of seats sold per plane, or load factor, through November fell to 62.5 per cent compared to 66.4 per cent for the same month in 2001. For the first eleven months of the year, WestJet's load factor was 73.4 per cent compared with 74.5 per cent last year. "The weak North American travel market has spawned an increased volume of seat sales and discounted fares by all airlines as carriers work to entice travellers to fly," WestJet president Clive Beddoe said in a release. "Our market stimulation initiatives have made progress in mitigating load factor erosion, however they have resulted in lower yields," he said. "In addition, our own substantial capacity increases during one of the slowest travel periods of the year has put further negative pressure on loads beyond that which we had originally anticipated." WestJet took the unusual step of notifying the investment community so it could lower earnings expectations "to a level more in line with the current environment" for its financial quarter, which ends Dec. 31. In mid-day trading on the Toronto stock market, WestJet shares (TSX:WJA) fell $2.85 to $17.55. Despite the decline in revenues, WestJet said it still expects to be profitable this quarter and will continue its aggressive expansion plans. The airline, which began flying into Toronto's Pearson International - Canada's busiest airport - this year, still expects to increase capacity by at least 40 per cent, and grow its fleet by 11 new, more fuel-efficient planes. Sandy Campbell, WestJet's chief financial officer, said the airline's strategy of keeping costs down by replacing older, more costly planes and increasing its percentage of Internet bookings have continued to lower costs. WestJet started flying nearly seven years ago in Western Canada and has recently expanded to Ontario and the Maritimes, serving 22 Canadian cities altogether. It plans to begin flying into Halifax by late February next year. But its control of the low-frills, low-cost market has recently been challenged by two new airline brands from Air Canada, including Calgary-based Zip and Tango. © Copyright 2002 The Canadian Press

12-09-2002, 07:44 PM	#2
JOHN JOHNSON Mysterious Collector Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,196	Profit will soar way up after re-name to Bedwetter! How'd that sound? __________________ Who should I consider? Dumbocrat Clinton or Ruptublican Johnny Mc Cain? Jimmy Mc Donald Help me!

12-09-2002, 08:01 PM	#3
KJC Insane Collector Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Pasadena, CA Age: 37 Posts: 2,529	Low employee productivity is also a major concern for the discount carrier. Analysts cite as an example certain employees spending endless hours posting on diecast aircraft forums while pretending to work! __________________ The white zones are for the immediate loading and unloading of passengers only. No parking!

12-11-2002, 03:30 AM	#17
Westjetter Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Age: 27 Posts: 2,650	Picture of CCD Here is a picture of the entrance to CCD

12-11-2002, 10:36 AM	#20
tdh8192 Mmmm... pep'roni pizza Join Date: Apr 2000 Posts: 3,241	How about a few more pictures of that woman? She's hot! __________________ - Tom

12-11-2002, 03:31 AM	#18
Westjetter Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Age: 27 Posts: 2,650	And the insides of CCD

12-11-2002, 03:32 AM	#19
Westjetter Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Age: 27 Posts: 2,650	And some CCDers' hard at work. No, thats not me... Yes the picture is fuzzy - i forgot to focus!

12-11-2002, 02:40 PM	#21
Delsterx Senior Collector Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Victoria BC Age: 33 Posts: 291	She's got a nice festive rack!