WestJet increases first quarter net earnings 75.9%

WestJet announced record first quarter net earnings of $52.5 million, a 75.9% increase over the $29.9 million in the first quarter of 2007. The airline’s diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the first quarter was 40 cents compared to 23 cents in the same period last year, an increase of 73.9%. First quarter revenue was $599.3 million compared to $470.7 million in the first quarter of 2007, an improvement of 27.3%. Operating margin for the quarter was 13.8%.