WESTJET Q1 EARNINGS BEAT ESTIMATES

WestJet Airlines first-quarter earnings have beaten analyst estimates. The low cost carrier posted a first-quarter profit of C$48.2 million or 34 Canadian cents a share. This is well ahead of a restated C$2.4 million or 2 Canadian cents earned a year earlier. Revenue increased by almost 25% to C$772.4 million, and operating margin of 10.3% was up from 3.9% a year earlier. The Calgary-based low-cost air carrier, reported revenue per available seat mile rose 12.1% due to yield improvement and slight load-factor growth; while costs per available seat mile rose 4.5%. Although when excluding fuel and employee profit sharing, cost