Westjet Airlines Ltd, Canada’s second-largest airline, said it expects revenue per available seat mile (RASM) to decline in the second quarter, hurt by the timing of the Easter and Passover holidays and cancellation of some business by travel agency Thomas Cook.

RASM is a measure of airlines’ efficiency. The higher the RASM, the more profitable an airline. Westjet’s RASM rose 2.4 per cent in the quarter ended March 31.

Westjet said it flew emptier planes in April.

The company also said the loss of a one-time benefit from Air Canada’s labour uncertainty will also hurt profitability in the quarter ending June.

WestJet will sell 10 Boeing 737-700 aircraft to an undisclosed hird-party in 2014 and 2015, and will buy 10 Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The airline owns 39 Boeing 737-700s and four 737-800s.

The company also said on Tuesday it deferred the delivery of five Boeing 737-700 aircraft from 2014 and 2015 to 2016 and 2017.

Westjet reported a 33.3 per cent rise in first-quarter profit, beating analysts’ estimates, as it flew fuller planes.

WestJet’s load factor – the percentage of available seats filled with paying customers – rose to 84.3 per cent from 83 per cent a year ago. Costs per available seat mile rose 0.3 per cent.

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