WestJet examining new regional airline

[theaveragejoe]

CALGARY, Jan. 16, 2012 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced it is considering the launch of a new short-haul, regional airline as early as 2013 using a fleet of approximately 40 smaller, turboprop aircraft.

 

"This is an exciting consideration for WestJetters," said Gregg Saretsky, WestJet President and CEO. "We are meeting with WestJetters throughout January to get their input on this watershed decision. One of the cornerstones of our success is engaging with employees early on in key decisions and I am confident they will see the strategic value of this initiative. Once our employees have had the opportunity to share their input, we will be in a better position to make a sound decision rooted in employee feedback and engagement.

 

"As we've said on many occasions before, we have regularly evaluated this strategy," continued Gregg Saretsky. "A short-haul aircraft combined with WestJet's brand, balance sheet strength and low-cost structure will allow WestJet to profitably accomplish four main goals: Introduce WestJet's friendly and caring service to many smaller communities who have asked for our service; optimize the size of aircraft to efficiently increase frequency; create new connections between existing WestJet markets; and build additional feed to our current 71-city network so that we can continue to profitably grow and add shareholder value."

 

"I am excited at the prospect of repeating the entrepreneurial success of WestJet's beginnings," said Clive Beddoe, WestJet Chairman and principal founder. "This new airline, powered by our low-cost model and strong corporate culture would greatly benefit the guests we serve, their communities and our shareholders. Our single fleet of Boeings will be joined by a sister company operating a single fleet of turboprops to maintain maximum efficiencies for both airlines."

 

"This would be the natural evolution of our airline," concluded Gregg Saretsky. "We have built a powerful brand that has been embraced by the travelling public from the start. Our goal now is to provide more Canadians with more access to lower fares and our friendly and caring guest experience."

 

Caution regarding forward-looking statements

Certain information set forth in this news release, including information regarding the launch of a short-haul regional airline including fleet size and type, our process for considering the launch of a short-haul regional airline, our strategic plan for a short-haul regional airline, the goals relating to implementation of a short-haul regional airline and profitability thereof, the benefits to certain stakeholders from implementing a short-haul regional airline, and our strategy, contain forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond WestJet's control. These forward-looking statements are based on our current strategic plan, our analysis of the requirements for a short-haul regional airline including fleet type and size and network design, our experience in creating and growing a low-cost domestic airline, and currently available implementation plans, but may vary due to factors including, but not limited to, general economic conditions, the competitive environment for a short-haul regional airline, information obtained through stakeholder consultations, regulatory requirements, aircraft manufacturer information, and other factors and risks described in WestJet's public reports and filings. WestJet's public reports and filings are available on WestJet's profile at Welcome to the SEDAR Web Site / Bienvenue au Site Web SEDAR. Readers are cautioned that undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements as actual results may vary materially from the forward-looking statements. WestJet does not undertake to update, correct or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

 

About WestJet

WestJet is Canada's favourite airline, offering scheduled service throughout its 71-city North American and Caribbean network. Inducted into Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures Hall of Fame and named one of Canada's best employers, WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. WestJet offers increased legroom and leather seats on its modern fleet of 97 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. With future confirmed deliveries for an additional 38 aircraft through 2018, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world

 

 

WestJet examining new regional airline - Jan 16, 2012

[theaveragejoe]

CALGARY, Feb. 8, 2012 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced its employees have voted overwhelmingly - 91 per cent - in favour of the launch of a regional airline as a wholly owned subsidiary of WestJet.

 

"The opportunity presented to WestJetters has been very well received and I thank them for their input and consideration in this important matter," said Gregg Saretsky, WestJet President and CEO. "Clearly, WestJetters have recognized and embraced that the service we have provided for 16 years is in demand in even more communities across Canada. Bringing WestJet to these communities will benefit Canadians while providing increased shareholder value. We now look forward to planning the launch of this new airline as early as 2013."

 

"There are not many organizations that would put such a strategic decision in front of the employees for their input and approval," commented Antonio Faiola, WestJet Flight Attendant, Board Member and Chair of PACT, WestJet's employee association. "I am proud to work for a company that puts such tremendous importance on culture and the relationship with WestJetters."

 

With approval from the Board of Directors to proceed with implementation of a low-cost regional airline, WestJet will move to the next stage of planning by sending requests for proposals to two aircraft manufacturers: Bombardier for the Q400 NextGen and ATR for the ATR 72-600

 

 

WestJetters vote 91 per cent in favour of regional airline - Feb 8, 2012

[theaveragejoe]

WestJet selects Bombardier Q400 for new regional airline

 

 

 

Airline to take delivery of up to 45 new turboprop aircraft over the next six years

CALGARY, May 1, 2012 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced it has selected Montreal-based Bombardier Inc. to supply aircraft for its new regional airline, expected to launch in the second half of 2013. The airline will fly the Bombardier Q400 NextGen to new cities, existing destinations not currently connected by WestJet, and will allow for schedule improvements on certain routes where a smaller aircraft can efficiently provide greater frequency.

"We are very impressed with the Q400," commented Gregg Saretsky, WestJet President and CEO. "Both ATR and Bombardier put forward excellent proposals and ultimately we believe the Bombardier Q400's combination of range, speed and seat density is the best choice to meet the needs of the market and how we plan to operate the regional airline. We look forward to working with another great Canadian company."

"This is a very proud day for Bombardier," said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "We are thrilled that WestJet has selected the Q400 NextGen aircraft for its fleet expansion requirements. The Q400 NextGen aircraft has long been recognized as the turboprop best suited to perform in the robust Canadian and U.S. landscape and environments. Our new-generation turboprop aircraft fits perfectly into this iconic Canadian airline's brand and we are pleased to welcome WestJetters and their guests to our Bombardier family."

WestJet has signed a letter of intent to purchase 20 Q400s with the option to purchase a further 25 aircraft. The airline expects to announce its initial regional schedule using the Q400s later in 2012.

Forward-looking information advisory

This news release contains certain information and statements that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words ''expect", ''will", ''schedule'' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information. In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, this news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to: WestJet's expectation that it will launch its regional airline in the second half of 2013, the expectation that the regional airline will fly the Bombardier Q400 NextGen to new cities and existing destinations not currently connected by WestJet, the expectation that the regional airline and Bombardier Q400 NextGen will allow for schedule improvements on certain routes where a smaller aircraft can efficiently provide greater flight frequency, expected synergies between Bombardier's new-generation turboprop aircraft and WestJet's brand and its expectations for operation of the regional airline and WestJet's expectation that it will announce its initial schedule utilizing the Q400's later in 2012.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release reflects several material factors and expectations and assumptions of WestJet including, without limitation, WestJet's current strategic plan, capital budget and forecast, WestJet's analysis of the market for and requirements of its short-haul regional airline including fleet type and size and network design, WestJet's experience in creating and growing a low-cost domestic airline, and currently available implementation plans.

WestJet believes the material factors, expectations and assumptions reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable at this time but no assurance can be given that these factors, expectations and assumptions will prove to be correct. The forward-looking information included in this news release is not a guarantee of future performance and should not be unduly relied upon. Such information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information including, without limitation: general economic conditions, the competitive environment for a short-haul regional airline, regulatory requirements, aircraft manufacturer information, changes in domestic airline industry conditions, volatility of fuel prices, WestJet's ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, the improvements and synergies currently expected upon the launch of the regional airline using the Q400 may not occur in the manner or to the extent currently anticipated, the launch of the regional airline or the announcement of the regional airline flight schedule may not occur on the timelines currently anticipated, and other factors and risks described in WestJet's public reports and filings. WestJet's public reports and filings are available on WestJet's profile at www.sedar.com.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release speaks only as of the date of this news release, and WestJet does not assume any obligation to publicly update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required pursuant to applicable laws.

 

 

www.westjet.com

[theaveragejoe]

WestJet Encore!

 

WestJet announces name of its new regional airline

CALGARY, Oct. 11, 2012 /CNW/ - Following a vote by WestJetters, WestJet today announced that the name of its new regional airline will be WestJet Encore. The regional airline will launch in the second half of 2013, using Bombardier Q400 aircraft to serve smaller Canadian communities.

"We are excited to launch WestJet Encore, leveraging the phenomenal strength of the WestJet brand delivered through our WestJetters," said Bob Cummings, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Sales, Marketing and Guest Experience. "Encore reinforces that our WestJetters are ready to repeat the success of WestJet, liberating Canadians in many communities from the high cost of travel."

WestJet will announce a schedule for WestJet Encore, including the first group of communities it will serve, in early 2013.

[theaveragejoe]

As per 11FEB13 GDS timetable and inventory display, WestJet reveals planned new
routes as well as operational routes for its regional turboprop unit “ENCORE”.
Reservations for these new routes opened since Sunday 10FEB13 (Pacific Time) and
announced on Monday morning.
NEW WESTJET Mainline Routes

Calgary – Dallas/Ft. Worth eff 29APR13 NEW
1 daily service
WS1554 YYC1025 – 1458DFW 73W D
WS1555 DFW1545 – 1829YYC
73W D
Toronto – Fort McMurray eff
16JUN13 NEW 3 weekly service (Not included in previous update)
WS309
YYZ2145 – 2344YMM 73W 147
WS308 YMM0100 – 0635YYZ 73W 125
Toronto – Myrtle Beach eff 02MAY13 NEW 2
weekly service
WS1154 YYZ0930 – 1135MYR 73W 47
WS1155 MYR1220 – 1414YYZ
73W 47
Calgary – Los Angeles eff
28APR13 Increase from 11 to 14 weekly service
WS1510 YYC1400 – 1606LAX
73W D
WS1500 YYC1920 – 2126LAX 73W D
WS1501 LAX0850 – 1249YYC 73W
D
WS1511 LAX1655 – 2054YYC 73W D

WestJet
Encore
WestJet Encore begins operation from 24JUN13, and will be further
expanded from 15AUG13, with a fleet of 78-seater Dash8-Q400
aircraft.

Calgary – Edmonton eff
15AUG13 1 of 7 daily service replace Mainline operation
WS3252 YYC1220 –
1311YEG DH4 D
WS3253 YEG1715 – 1803YYC DH4 D
From 15SEP13, overall service
increases from 7 to 9 daily, with 4 of 9 daily operated by Encore
WS3250
YYC0600 – 0651YEG DH4 D
WS3252 YYC1220 – 1311YEG DH4 D
WS3268 YYC1450 –
1541YEG DH4 D
WS3291 YYC1745 – 1836YEG DH4 D
WS3251 YEG1050 – 1138YYC DH4
D
WS3273 YEG1615 – 1703YYC DH4 D
WS3253 YEG1715 – 1803YYC DH4 D
WS3292
YEG2245 – 2333YYC DH4 D
Calgary – Fort St. John
eff 24JUN13 NEW WestJet service
WS3101 YYC1600 – 1639YXJ
DH4 D
WS3100 YXJ1030 – 1300YYC DH4 D
Calgary – Grande
Prairie eff 15AUG13 NEW 1 daily nonstop
service
WS3248 YYC2030 – 2154YQU DH4 D
WS3249 YQU0600 – 0717YYC DH4 D (eff
16AUG13)
Calgary – Nanaimo eff
24JUN13 NEW WestJet service
WS3109 YYC1100 – 1143YCD DH4 D
WS3108
YCD1230 – 1457YYC DH4 D
Schedule varies after 15SEP13
Calgary – Regina eff 15AUG13 1 of 4 daily
service replace Mainline operation
WS3296 YYC0815 – 0943YQR DH4 D
WS3289
YQR1015 – 1148YYC DH4 D
Calgary – Saskatoon eff 24JUN13 Overall service increases from 4 to 5 daily
WS3241
YYC1650 – 1805YXE DH4 D
WS3246 YXE1835 – 1953YYC DH4 D
Edmonton – Grande Prairie eff 15AUG13 1 of
2 daily service replace Mainline operation
WS3252 YEG1345 – 1451YQU DH4
D
WS3253 YQU1530 – 1632YEG DH4 D
Vancouver – Fort St.
John eff 24JUN13 NEW WestJet service
WS3102
YVR0815 – 0959YXJ DH4 D (eff 25JUN13)
WS3103 YXJ1710 – 1855YVR DH4
D
Vancouver – Victoria eff
24JUN13 NEW WestJet service
WS3103 YVR1925 – 1955YYJ DH4 D
WS3102
YYJ0715 – 0744YVR DH4 D (eff 25JUN13)
WS3183 YVR1800 – 1830YYJ DH4
D
WS3184 YYJ1900 – 1929YVR DH4 D (eff 15OCT13)
Schedules and reservations
for new routes listed above are currently loaded in its system and website until
26OCT13.

http://airlineroute....tegory/westjet/