WestJet posted its busiest January schedule despite declining demand for Alberta flights

Calgary-based WestJet posted a record month for overall travelers in January despite a decline in business travel to and from Alberta.

In general, the airline flew 1.7 million passengers in January, which is 7.4 percent more than in the same month last year.

It was WestJet's largest January flight since its inception, the company said.

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WestJet also posted an 80.1 percent load factor in January.

The strong month comes despite lower demand for flights in Alberta.

Last week, WestJet announced plans to cut the number of flights from Calgary and Edmonton, removing one daily flight each way from the schedule.

The cuts will also eliminate all service from Calgary to Terrace and Prince George, and reduce service from Calgary to Brandon, Penticton and Fort McMurray.

In addition, the airline plans to increase its schedule outside of Toronto.

Air Canada also sends out busy messages in January

Air Canada, the nation's largest airline, said total passenger traffic in January was up 7.1 percent from a year earlier. It provides more seating capacity and a record load factor.

Montreal-based Air Canada's January load factor of 80.1 percent was the same as WestJet's.

The airline said it generated more traffic in all the markets it serves on its Atlantic, Pacific, Latin American and Caribbean routes.