May 2 (Reuters) - Canada's WestJet Airlines Ltd WJA.TO on Tuesday reported a 45 percent fall in quarterly profit, as higher fuel costs squeezed margins.
The company's net earnings fell to C$48.3 million ($35.4 million), or 41 Canadian cents per share in the first quarter ended March 31, from C$87.6 million, or 71 Canadian cents per share, a year earlier. rose 8 percent to C$1.11 billion.
WestJet, Canada's second largest carrier, also said it agreed to buy up to 20 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft from Boeing (NYSE:BA) Co BA.N . ($1 = 1.3660 Canadian dollars)