WestJet Airlines Ltd., Canada's second-biggest carrier, said third-quarter net income fell 28 percent on higher fuel costs and slowing consumer demand.

Profit was $46 million, or 42 cents a share, compared with $64 million, or 49 cents a share, a year earlier, the Calgary-based airline said today in a statement. WestJet flies nonstop between Vancouver and Honolulu, Kona and Maui.

Revenue climbed 18 percent to $604 million.Jet-fuel prices that were 91 percent higher at the start of the quarter from a year earlier hurt WestJet. A slowing economy and a weaker Canadian dollar, which has fallen 16 percent against the U.S. currency this year, also made Canadian consumers less willing to splurge on a trip south.

"While our third-quarter results reflect a combination of higher fuel costs and the beginning of a more challenging environment for demand, we continued to demonstrate our ability to weather the financial storm and effectively manage costs," Chief Executive Officer Sean Durfy said in the statement.

Costs for every seat flown a mile climbed 8.3 percent in the quarter as WestJet's fuel bill, which accounted for 40 percent of total expenses, rose "significantly" from a year earlier, the carrier said.