CALGARY — WestJet continues to fly at a steady pace, announcing an August load factor of 86.5%, an increase of 1.9 percentage points year over year.

Revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 11.3% year over year, while capacity – measured in available seat miles (ASMs) – grew 8.8% over the same period.

The airline flew an all-time monthly record of 2.1 million guests in August, a year-over-year increase of 5.3%, or approximately 105,000 additional guests.

“We are pleased with our fourth consecutive month of double-digit traffic growth as we welcomed on board the highest ever monthly number of guests in our twenty year history,” said WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky. “My sincere thanks go out to our almost 12,000 WestJetters for their continuing commitment and passion through this very busy summer period.”

In August, WestJet announced new service to Belize commencing Oct. 29 and that it will offer members of any airline or travel rewards program the chance to obtain gold status in its WestJet Rewards program. Gold flight benefits for eligible WestJet Rewards members include two free checked bags, 10 airport lounge vouchers, four advance seat selection vouchers, no fee to change to an earlier or later flight on the same day of travel, advance boarding and priority security screening at select airports.