Westjet Case Analysis Essay

Words: 2166
Pages: 9

Table of Contents

Executive Summary i
Table of Contents 1
About WestJet 1
Market Share 2
Domestic 2
International 3
Market Position and SWOT Analysis 5
WestJet Key Financial Ratios 7
Accounting, Finance, Legal and Environmental Issues 8
Shareholders and Company Ownership 8
Accounting Policy and Internal Control 9
Legal 9
Environmental 11
Investor Recommendations 12
Bibliography 13

THE COMPANY AND ITS POSITION IN THE MARKET
Competitive Landscape

Markets where WestJet competes:
• Airlines
• Consumer Services
• Travel Agencies & Services
• Transportation Services
• Air Cargo Services

Direct competitors
• Air Canada
• Air Transat
• Porter Air
• Central Mountain Air

Key Financial Data 2010 2009 2008

“WestJet announced the initiation of a quarterly dividend program in November 2010. The first payment of $0.05 per common voting share and variable voting share is payable on January 21, 2011 to shareholders on record on December 15, 2010.”
WestJet Traffic Statistics
Year Load Factor ASM (billions) RPM (billions)
2010 79.90% 19.535 15.613
2009 78.70% 17.588 13.835
2008 80.10% 17.14 13.731

Accounting, Finance, Legal and Environmental Issues
Shareholders and Company Ownership WestJet shares are comprised of 75% common shares and 25% variable shares. Under the provisions of the Canada Transportation Act, WestJet must be controlled by Canadians. To ensure this the common shares must be owned by Canadians. The variable shares may be owned by non-Canadians.
The Company was founded in 1996 by Clive Beddoe and a team of fellow entrepreneurs. In July 1999 the airline went public offering 1.5million shares @ $10 starting notice. Clive continues to lead WestJet as founding Shareholder and chairman of the board of directors. The President and CEO is Gregg Saretsky, recently taking over the role from Sean Durfy who stepped down for personal reasons in 2009.
Gregg was appointed as CEO in April 2010 and had previously been VP of WestJet vacations with over 30 years of aviation