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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
(Stated in thousands of Canadian dollars, except percentage, ratio, share and per share amounts)
WestJet Annual Report 2015 │ 68
1. Statement of significant accounting policies
The annual consolidated financial statements of WestJet Airlines Ltd. (the Corporation) for the years ended December 31, 2015
and 2014, were authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on February 1, 2016. The Corporation is a public company
incorporated and domiciled in Canada. The Corporation provides airline service and travel packages. The Corporation’s shares
are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbols WJA and WJA.A. The principal business address is
22 Aerial Place N.E., Calgary, Alberta, T2E 3J1 and the registered office is Suite 2400, 525 - 8 Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta,
T2P 1G1.
(a) Basis of presentation
These annual consolidated financial statements and the notes hereto have been prepared in accordance with International
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).
These annual consolidated financial statements have been prepared on an historical cost basis except for certain financial assets
and liabilities, including derivative financial instruments that are measured at fair value. Where applicable, these differences have
been described in the notes hereto.
Amounts presented in these annual consolidated financial statements and the notes hereto are in Canadian dollars, the
Corporation’s reporting currency, unless otherwise stated. The Corporation’s functional currency is the Canadian dollar.
On December 31, 2015, the Corporation transitioned from a functional-based presentation to a nature-based presentation for
certain operating expenses on the consolidated statement of earnings. The functional-based presentation of operating expenses
was aligned closely with the Corporation’s internal corporate structure and organization. The transition to a nature-based
presentation of operating expenses was done to align more closely with industry reporting practices and enhance comparability
with industry peers. Refer to Note 18 for additional discussion and disclosure.
(b) Principles of consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Corporation and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries
consist of entities over which the Corporation is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns as well as the ability to affect those
returns through the power to direct the relevant activities of the entity. A description of the Corporation’s subsidiaries is provided
in Note 16. All intercompany balances and transactions between the Corporation and its subsidiaries have been eliminated.
(c) Seasonality
The airline industry is sensitive to general economic conditions and the seasonal nature of air travel. The Corporation
experiences increased domestic travel in the summer months and more demand for transborder and international travel over the
winter months, thus reducing the effects of seasonality on net earnings.
(d) Revenue recognition
(i) Guest
Guest revenue, including the air component of vacation packages, is recognized when air transportation is provided. Tickets sold
but not yet used are reported in the consolidated statement of financial position as advance ticket sales.
(ii) Other
Other revenue includes items such as net revenue from the sale of the land component of vacation packages, ancillary fees as
well as cargo and charter revenue.
Revenue for the land component of vacation packages is generated from providing agency services equal to the amount paid by
the guest for products and services, less payment to the travel supplier, and is reported at the net amount received. Revenue
from the land component is deferred as advance ticket sales and recognized in earnings on completion of the vacation.
Ancillary revenue is recognized when the services and products are provided to the guest. Ancillary revenues include items such
as fees associated with guest itinerary changes or cancellations, baggage fees, buy-on-board sales, pre-reserved seating fees
and breakage from the WestJet Rewards Program.