Guest2 Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 Historic partnership between the WestJet Group and the Government of Alberta sets foundation for future of aviation growth across province NEWS PROVIDED BY WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership Oct 05, 2022, 18:24 ET WestJet Group designates Calgary as its exclusive global connecting hub, and will concentrate all 787 Dreamliner intercontinental flying to YYC Calgary International Airport Partnership to make Alberta the most cost-competitive aviation market in Canada, promote the province to the world, drive sustainability, enhance post-secondary programs, and improve skilled labour supply for the aviation sector WestJet Group to double its capacity in YYC before end of decade CALGARY, AB, Oct. 5, 2022 /CNW/ - The WestJet Group and the Government of Alberta today announced a first-of-its-kind partnership, focused on significantly advancing aviation across the province in support of a stronger economy and a long-lasting, sustainable future for Alberta's aviation sector. As the airline furthers its growth strategy, WestJet will invest aircraft capacity, with an asset value in excess of seven billion dollars, in Calgary alone, through significant fleet commitments to be based within the province. WestJet will designate YYC Calgary International Airport as its single global connecting hub and will concentrate all intercontinental 787 Dreamliner flying in Calgary, unlocking opportunity for new routes within North America, to Europe, with the potential to reach Asia. Alongside the 787s, WestJet will grow its mid-range fleet and strengthen its North American offerings, with its commitment to double capacity in Calgary before the end of the decade. In addition to Calgary, WestJet plans to grow its network across other Canadian communities, strengthening its footprint in the east and in leisure travel across the entire country, consistent with its strategic plan released in June 2022 and its recent purchase announcement of 42 Boeing 737-10 MAX aircraft. "Alberta has been WestJet's home for 26 years and today's historic agreement builds upon an existing foundation of low taxes and investment-friendly policies. As Western Canada's home team carrier, Alberta is an area where we want to continue to invest to secure WestJet's thriving future," said Alexis von Hoensbroech, Chief Executive Officer, the WestJet Group. "Through the pandemic and onward, the Government of Alberta prioritized the importance and advancement of aviation and the visitor economy across the province and recognized that aviation is central to the economic diversification of Alberta." The agreement between the airline and the Government of Alberta will see the government invest in developing Alberta's aviation sector. It further lays out strategic, collaborative priorities to ensure provincial policies are aligned and in support of the development of the entire aviation industry in Alberta. The Government of Alberta and the WestJet Group will seek opportunities to address the overall cost-competitiveness challenges for the sector. "This is a blockbuster day for Alberta and a game-changer for our economy. Diversification and economic development are happening right here in Alberta," said the Honourable Jason Kenney, Premier of Alberta. "By choosing Calgary as its single global hub, locating its entire Dreamliner fleet here, and increasing its annual seat capacity by 80 per cent, WestJet will massively improve global connectivity, tourism and options for passengers." "Today is a proud day for our organization as we continue to strengthen our home province with four distinct advantages: affordability, sustainability, infrastructure and people," continued von Hoensbroech. "This agreement is a testament to WestJet's commitment to our global hub airport in Calgary, as investments like this can only occur under the right commercial and operational environments. YYC Calgary International Airport is providing us that confidence and with these investments, Calgary can become North America's most connected mid-sized city." Partnership highlights: Affordability Provide Travel Alberta with additional funding in support of travel and tourism efforts Work to address the challenges associated with high aviation fuel prices for air passengers and industry Advance Alberta's status as a global aviation hub by enabling more to and from flights and more connecting passengers People Improve access to pilot training with investment and expansion of the Mount Royal University pilot training program Collaboration to ensure pilots are trained in Alberta with the appropriate technology and partnerships Potential development of advanced commercial aviation training programs for aviation-related specialties, including a potential degree program Funding of an annual hiring training grant to ensure support for training and other associated costs Sustainability Commitment to the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) capacity at scale in Alberta as central to economic diversification and reducing carbon emissions from aviation Commitment to assist WestJet in improving its own technology and software in support of a low-carbon future Infrastructure Government of Alberta and the WestJet Group to seek opportunities to enable growth through strategic public and private investments that support aerospace and aviation sector needs Additional Quotes "For more than a quarter century WestJet has been a leader in Canada's aviation sector and a critical part of our city's economic growth and diversification. I can't overstate the importance for companies in Calgary to be able to easily connect to other leading global business centres," said Calgary Mayor, Jyoti Gondek. "Today is a prime example of effective collaboration between the City and the Province with a leading local company to make a major investment in our economic future and make Calgary a global aviation sector hub." "It's an exciting day for YYC and Alberta. WestJet's decision to make YYC its single global hub demonstrates confidence in the Calgary airport and solidifies a major investment in the region and Alberta," said Bob Sartor, President and CEO, of The Calgary Airport Authority. "We are firmly committed to ensuring our hub carrier and strategic airline partner has the commercial and operational environment it needs to continue growing its business with YYC. We welcome the support for the future investment in the Alberta and Calgary air transportation sector announced today by WestJet and the Government of Alberta." 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Guest2 Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 WestJet aims to double capacity in Calgary through partnership with provincial government Stephanie Babych , Chris Varcoe, Calgary Herald - 15m ago WestJet will double its capacity in Calgary in the next several years, concentrating all of its 787 Dreamliner intercontinental flying in Calgary, through a partnership with the provincial government announced on Wednesday. WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said during a news conference at the Calgary International Airport that WestJet Group will designate Calgary as its exclusive global connecting hub through a unique partnership with the province. “This is about making Alberta the leading province for aviation in Canada, and we are very proud to play a key role in that,” said von Hoensbroech. Von Hoensbroech said this investment on WestJet’s behalf will enable the airline to open new routes to Europe and possibly Asia, using Calgary as the connecting hub. The partnership is expected to advance aviation access across the province with benefits to the economy and Alberta’s aviation sector, creating thousands of jobs and billions in new economic activity. Premier Jason Kenney called the partnership a major win for the province, and a commitment of about $16 million in annual and direct investments for WestJet and other players in the aviation sector. “WestJet sees clearly the unlimited potential of this province,” Kenney said. Kenney said discussions to get the Dreamliners to fly exclusively out of Calgary started in 2019, but Wednesday’s announcement is far bigger than what he could have envisioned. Premier Jason Kenney speaks on new investments in the aviation, aerospace and logistics sectors at the Calgary International Airport in Calgary on Wednesday, October 5, 2022. Through the partnership, Mount Royal University’s pilot training program will also receive a significant provincial investment. With $7.1 million in capital and a total of $1.06 million in operating funding, MRU will be able to add an additional 40 seats to its aviation diploma program. “We’re facing a major global shortage of pilots. And Alberta wants to embrace the opportunity of this investment by becoming a major source of skilled new pilots for WestJet and the entire industry,” said Kenney. A $5-million investment annually over three years will be made available to offset training costs in the aviation sector to support training for new jobs. The province will also look to build an aviation centre of excellence to accelerate pilot training, according to Kenney. The province is also committing to a 737 simulator for its aviation training centre, which costs about $25 million in capital investment. The province will also work with WestJet to develop policies for a possible connecting passenger grant program that would incentivize stays in Calgary as people move to subsequent destinations. There will be work to address high aviation fuel prices, including possible reductions in aviation fuel taxes to match those for automobile drivers, and work to develop sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) capacity. The airline fuel tax savings could run at about $10 million annually, Kenney said. More investments will also be made by the province in Travel Alberta. The province will increase funding for the organization to $10 million annually over five years, up from $6.5 million. WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech and Premier Jason Kenney speak on new investments in the aviation, aerospace and logistics sectors at the Calgary International Airport in Calgary on Wednesday, October 5, 2022. The news arrives as air travel in the province, and at Calgary’s airport, is rebounding after being pummelled during the first year of the pandemic, when travel restrictions were put in place. Air traffic at the Calgary airport fell by more than two-thirds in 2020 from the previous year to just 5.6 million passengers — down from 18 million reported in 2019 — before a gradual recovery to 6.3 million passengers last year. The drop-off took a heavy toll on the Calgary Airport Authority’s bottom line, with the organization reporting a $242.5-million net loss in 2020, while its cash deficit came in at $23 million. Total long-term debt at that time increased to $2.98 billion in 2020, which increased following the building of a new runway and international terminal last decade. This year, tourism and travel in Alberta have rebounded sharply as the economy has expanded and travel restrictions have been lifted. In August, Calgary airport traffic increased by 66 per cent from the same period a year earlier, with 1.6 million passengers recorded in the month, punctuated by transborder traffic up 371 per cent. Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said Wednesday’s announcement is a prime example of effective collaboration between the city and province with a leading local company. “I can’t overstate the importance for companies in Calgary to be able to easily connect to other leading global business centres,” said Gondek. Alberta is home to WestJet, along with Calgary-based Lynx Air. In August, von Hoensbroech announced the company would shift resources to significantly grow its network in Western Canada, as well as invest in more leisure and sun flying. WestJet’s CEO told Postmedia in August that the privately held company — purchased by Onex Corp. for $3.5 billion in 2019 — would pause further investment into its fleet of seven Dreamliners, instead focusing on adding Boeing 737 MAX airplanes in the coming years. Just last month, it announced a deal with Boeing to purchase an additional 42 Boeing 737-10 Max aircraft , with an option for 22 more. Today, WestJet has a fleet of about 170 aircraft, with 110 active 737s, as well as its wide-body Boeing 787 Dreamliner. In September, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada announced plans to build a major airplane manufacturing complex just east of Calgary in Wheatland County, which is expected to ultimately employ 1,500 workers. Alberta’s aviation, aerospace and logistics industries employ more than 75,000 people, according to the province. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest2 Posted October 9, 2022 Share Posted October 9, 2022 Where has WestJet been flying its Boeing 787 Dreamliners? Chris Loh - 12h ago React5 Comments| At the time of reporting, Canadian carrier WestJet has a total of seven Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners in its fleet. Since the airline began operations in 1996, it has been making huge leaps and bounds towards becoming a worthy rival and alternative to the well-established Air Canada - especially in the domestic market. Now equipped with a modern and efficient fleet of widebodies, the Calgary-based airline is offering Canadians more options when it comes to long-haul service to Europe. Let's look at where it's currently flying the Dreamliners in this article. Where has WestJet been flying its Boeing 787 Dreamliners?© Provided by SimpleFlying Just two Canadian cities At this point in time, WestJet is flying 787 services out of just two Canadian cities: Calgary and Toronto. The airline only recently ended its seasonal Vancouver-London Gatwick operations at the start of October. The following list shows where WestJet Boeing 787s are currently deployed: Calgary-Dublin Calgary-Rome Calgary-London (both Heathrow & Gatwick)* Calgary-Paris Toronto-London Gatwick* Toronto-Barcelona* Routes marked with an asterisk (*) are routes that compete with Canadian rival Air Canada. However, only Calgary-London Heathrow and Toronto-Barcelona are the only routes with identical airport pairs. Otherwise, WestJet flies into London Gatwick while Air Canada serves London Heathrow. The longest route on the above list is the airline's Calgary-Rome service, which is 8,473 kilometers, or 4,575 nautical miles. This has a duration of approximately nine and a half hours going from Calgary to Rome, and closer to 10 hours when flying from Rome to Calgary. WestJet's 787 route offerings. Photo: GCMap.com A clear focus on Calgary When it comes to distribution across the wide expanse that is Canada, it is clear that WestJet's focus is on the major Albertan city of Calgary. Indeed, this focus on Western Canada was an intentional move explicitly announced in June of this year. As we reported at the time, WestJet's new CEO, Alexis von Hoensbroech has made the decision to shift airline resources to significantly grow its presence and network in the West, fostering its undisputed status as the home-team carrier of Western Canada, thus offering more direct, non-stop flights to various communities in the region. When it comes to transatlantic services, this western focus leaves leisure airline Air Transat to duel it out with Air Canada for European flights from airports like Toronto and Montreal. WestJet does, however, operate Halifax-Dublin and Toronto-Dublin services using its Boeing 737 MAX 8s. What passengers will experience If you've yet to experience the WestJet 787, this is what the airline says passengers can expect when stepping onboard in economy class for a transatlantic service: A seat pitch of 31 inches and a seat width of 17 inches Seats laid out in a 3x3x3 configuration Blanket and pillow on all seats Complimentary snacks, meals and beverages 11.6 touchscreen monitors to access movies, television shows ,and video games and music channels Internet access (for a fee) AC power outlet and USB ports at every seat. WestJet Dreamliners are also equipped with premium economy recliner seats (2x3x2 layout) as well as lie-flat business class seating. Naturally, meal quality goes up with each class while screen size gets larger. Both premium classes have their own special amenity kits as well. With the exception of its Calgary-London services which rival Air Canada, WestJet's transatlantic flights from Calgary currently go unchallenged by other airlines. Thus, Calgarians can take advantage of direct service to some great European destinations with WestJet, while Canadians in other cities have the opportunity for a single connection service through the much smaller Calgary International Airport. Have you flown WestJet's 787 services? Are they better than Air Canada's offerings? Let us know by leaving a comment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest2 Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 Is Westjet's new hub viable. Link to the story: Is WestJet’s New Calgary Hub Viable? – Airways Magazine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airband Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 B.C. couple sues Swoop Airlines, accuses staff of racial discrimination after being escorted off flight Andre Henry and Jhody Batiste say they're 'living nightmare of an embarrassment' after incident in August Mon Oct 24, 2022 - CBC News A couple from Kelowna, B.C., who were escorted off their flight from Toronto in August have filed a lawsuit against Swoop Airlines and two of its employees, alleging racial discrimination and defamation. Andre Henry and Jhody Batiste, who are Black, claimed they're "living nightmare of an embarrassment" after being removed from the plane over a minor seating dispute. Batiste said she's had to seek counselling, because the psychological impact of the incident has been so great. "I felt embarrassed and shame. I felt like someone was slowly taking off my clothes," Batiste told CBC News. The next time she travelled by plane, she said, she felt like everyone was looking at her as if she'd done something wrong. The lawsuit, filed this month, reads "the plaintiffs felt like criminals." "As a direct ... result of the defendants' actions, the plaintiffs have experienced shame, humiliation, embarrassment, judgment, racial discrimination, disgrace and helplessness." None of the defendants have responded to the claim. Dispute started with seat change, claim says Henry and Batiste were flying home to Kelowna from Toronto on Aug. 10 when Batiste asked another passenger to switch seats so she could sit next to Henry. The other passenger, who was white, agreed and swapped with Batiste. The claim said a flight attendant, identified as "Hannah," told Batiste she needed to be in her assigned seat for take-off and could switch once they were in the air. She said she would be charging Batiste for switching seats early. "Hannah focused her anger on Batiste without having any conversation with the male passenger, who agreed to switch seats," the lawsuit said. The other passenger told Hannah he had agreed to make the change. The dispute between Batiste and Hannah continued when Hannah told Batiste, who was feeling cold, to remove a blanket from her legs until after take-off. Batiste did, but claimed the flight crew supervisor then asked her to get off the plane. "Batiste asked the supervisor why she and Henry were being asked to leave the aircraft ... [but] were not provided with an answer," the lawsuit said. Peel Police officers removed Batiste and Henry from the plane and escorted them through Toronto Pearson International Airport. The claim said the passenger who switched with Batiste was allowed to stay. Henry and Batiste bought two new tickets home for $2,000. Swoop later apologized and reimbursed the couple, but the lawsuit said they're still liable for the actions of their flight attendant and pilot. "That was it," Batiste said. "People cannot be treated like that," she added. "These big corporations need to take more responsibility." CBC News has contacted the airline for comment on the court action. Defamation claim The lawsuit said Hannah and the plane's pilot, identified as "Roberts," lied about the incident afterward. Hannah allegedly said Batiste made her feel uncomfortable, refused to follow orders and impeded the takeoff of the aircraft, according to the claim. The lawsuit also said Hannah "willfully and intentionally" failed to correct the false information that she gave to her superiors at the airline. Roberts was accused of posting about the flight on Instagram to say Batiste was lying about her story and had "cursed out" the supervisor on the plane. He also allegedly said Batiste was "playing the race card." Henry and Batiste are seeking damages for "malicious, high-handed, callous and arrogant conduct" that showed "a wanton and flagrant disregard" for their rights. "Such conduct warrants an award of punitive, aggravated and exemplary damages to ensure that the defendants are punished appropriately for their conduct," the lawsuit read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
North of You Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 Competition Bureau raises concerns about WestJet-Sunwing deal https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/bank-of-canada-raises-rate-by-50..................................... I think this is the link you want........Kip https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/competition-bureau-raises-concerns-about-westjet-sunwing-deal-1.6125608 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest2 Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 WestJet’s Commercial Strategy Director: Why The Airline Must Change (msn.com) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest2 Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 https://theairlinewebsite.com/topic/551221-all-about-cargo/?do=findComment&comment=1961486 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest2 Posted November 6, 2022 Share Posted November 6, 2022 More tec issues WestJet says system-wide outage impacting operations By Darrian Matassa-Fung Global News Posted November 5, 2022 5:25 pm View image in full screen A WestJet plane waits at a gate at Calgary International Airport in Calgary, Alta., Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh WestJet is reporting a “system-wide outage” that is impacting operations. “We apologize for the inconvenience this is causing guests. We are experiencing a significant number of delays across our network, and our contact center is unable to access guest reservations, at this time,” WestJet said in an email to Global News. “We are actively working to get systems back up and running and anticipate service will be restored shortly.” READ MORE: WestJet says human error to blame for tweet sharing customer’s personal information Social media posts suggest many WestJet customers have been waiting hours to board flights, with some missing connecting flights. B.C. resident Carmen Eberle said her son has been waiting to board a flight in Vancouver since 1 p.m. “There have been no updates. There is no information coming out and people are getting frustrated,” said Eberle. “It’s been a long wait and people are left in the dark.” READ MORE: Competition Bureau raises concerns surrounding WestJet, Sunwing deal WestJet said only one flight has been cancelled so far, but many flights are delayed by hours. It’s unclear when WestJet’s system issues will be resolved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest2 Posted November 6, 2022 Share Posted November 6, 2022 WestJet says it's back online after global outage, but more disruptions expected Passengers walk past Air Canada and WestJet planes at Calgary International Airport in Calgary, Alta., Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh The Canadian Press Staff Contact Published Nov. 6, 2022 9:26 a.m. MST WestJet says a system-wide outage that caused delays and cancellations across its entire network has been resolved, but it still expects further disruptions. The airline tweeted this morning that all its systems were online and stable, and that teams were busy working to recover from the outage. The Calgary-based airline said yesterday the outage prevented its contact centre from accessing guest reservations No reason for the outage was provided. Despite being back online, the airline says it anticipates further disruptions as it recovers from the outage. It is also apologizing to customers for the inconvenience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest2 Posted November 7, 2022 Share Posted November 7, 2022 Stranded passengers call for more accountability for WestJet flight cancellations 53m ago MONTREAL — Passengers are calling on airlines to do more for customers stranded due to the latest wave of flight cancellations to impact Canadian travellers. Stranded passengers call for more accountability for WestJet flight cancellations© Provided by The Canadian Press A system-wide outage at WestJet on Saturday led to the cancellation of over 200 WestJet, Swoop and Sunwing flights over the weekend. The airline later said the problem was caused by a "cooling issue" in its primary data centre. WestJet said that it scheduled an additional 10 flights for waiting passengers on Monday. However, for some, the damage has already been done. WestJet customer Gemini Clarke was stuck in Calgary Monday, exhausted and wanting answers but still unsure whether she would be placed on a flight back to Kelowna today. Clarke said at midday she had not received a response and could not reach a representative by phone or email as lines remain congested with customers in similar circumstances. WestJet said in an emailed statement that it's asking passengers to refrain from contacting the airline until 72 hours before their upcoming flights to ensure staff are able to prioritize calls. Air passenger rights advocate Gabor Lukacs said many of the affected passengers will be entitled to compensation. “We are hearing about chaos but I think what we should really be hearing is the passenger's rights in this situation." Related video: Air Canada and WestJet fighting passenger compensation rulings Air Canada and WestJet fighting passenger compensation rulings Lukacs said that cancellations due to a system-wide outage are within WestJet's control and that the airline is required to rebook passengers on new flights, even if they happen to be with another airline. Additionally, he noted WestJet will owe affected passengers compensation of up to $1,000 depending on the length of the delay under the federal Air Passenger Protection Regulations. Passenger Bradley Martens said that WestJet has not given advice on what options are available with other airlines or on what refund or compensation passengers are entitled to. "There's really no options," said Martens. "It's kind of like a wait-and-see, but really it's just wait." In an statement on Sunday, WestJet's chief operating officer said disruptions would continue this week. "Further delays and cancellations in the coming days will be required, as we work diligently to recover our operations," Diederik Pen wrote. The fact that the company apparently had a single point of failure is troubling, said Lukacs. He said that there are systems in place to provide backups in case system failures occur and that WestJet has not yet provided a satisfactory explanation for the situation. The Calgary-based airline said another 31 flights were cancelled Monday due to the effects of the system outage combined with winter weather affecting Alberta and parts of Western Canada. Communication is the most important thing, Martens said. "Provide detail of what you're prepared to do for your customers ... that is the biggest issue." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2022. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest2 Posted November 8, 2022 Share Posted November 8, 2022 Weather adds to WestJet flight delays at Kelowna airport - Okanagan | Globalnews.ca Weather adds to WestJet flight delays at Kelowna airport By Jayden Wasney Global News Posted November 7, 2022 5:52 pm WATCH: It's been an interesting past few days for air travellers looking to fly into or out of Kelowna. First, a system-wide outage from WestJet led to cancellations and then winter weather grounded planes. After a WestJet system-wide outage led to flight delays and cancellations throughout the weekend, another blast of winter in the Okanagan is once again keeping passengers grounded at the Kelowna International Airport. WestJet says it had to cancel more than 200 flights due to a technical outage over the weekend, and it’s leaving some air travellers in Kelowna scrambling to get home. READ MORE: WestJet travellers frustrated as IT outage causes delays, redirected flights “My mother-in-law who is 90 lives with us, and so now we have to try and find care for an extra two days for her, as well as our livestock, plus we have to find another hotel to stay in,” said Kori Landels of Campbell River, B.C. “We need to get home.” The stranded WestJet passenger says the company has offered very little support. “He didn’t offer any compensation,” said Landels of the service agent. “He basically said we needed to accept this ’cause there was nothing they could do.” 1:19Snow delays several flights at YLW Unfortunately for some travellers looking to fly out of Kelowna, delays and cancellations are expected to continue. “We expect between the technical outage of WestJet and the weather delays that there will be another day or two of interesting struggles for the passengers,” said Phillip Elchitz, senior manager of airport operations at YLW. READ MORE: Kelowna, B.C. airline passengers sue low-cost carrier Swoop for defamation The airport said they had no choice but to cancel a significant number of flights due to the weather. We’re seeing low visibility, high winds from the north and low ceilings,” expressed Elchitz. “What that’s doing is that’s making it very challenging for an aircraft to land in Kelowna because of the local weather.” READ MORE: Planes, power and automobiles struggle under first Okanagan snowfall Meanwhile, a man from the United States trying to fly to Toronto to see family says while the delay to his flight caused by weather has been a bit of a letdown, he’s trying to remain positive. “I was due to see my sister after four years in Toronto, then fly back to the U.S. in Washington D.C.,” said stranded traveller Ramin Azhadi. “We’ll see what happens with the weather.” YLW said they apologize for the delays and are hopeful that operations will return to normal in the next few days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W5 Posted November 12, 2022 Share Posted November 12, 2022 WestJet lands slots to launch YYC- DXB in March 2023 https://www.flightglobal.com/networks/westjet-lands-slots-to-launch-calgary-dubai-flights-in-march-2023/150953.article paywall warning Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest2 Posted November 12, 2022 Share Posted November 12, 2022 7 hours ago, W5 said: WestJet lands slots to launch YYC- DXB in March 2023 https://www.flightglobal.com/networks/westjet-lands-slots-to-launch-calgary-dubai-flights-in-march-2023/150953.article paywall warning Seems to be a bit of a stretch, but time will tell. Here is an unblocked article on the new service. WestJet lands slots to launch Calgary-Dubai flights in March 2023 By Pilar Wolfsteller11 November 2022 Canadian airline WestJet looks poised to launch flights between Calgary and Dubai beginning in March 2023, after securing required landing slots at Dubai International airport. The flights would be the first WestJet routes to the Middle East, and the first to connect the two cities non-stop. According to slot coordinator Airport Coordination Limited’s (ACL) Dubai International airport summer 2023 initial coordination report, dated 4 November, WestJet has been allocated 186 slots for the 31-week summer travel season which begins on 27 March. It initially requested more than double that number. WestJet is listed in the report as a “new operator” to Dubai International airport. Source: WestJet WestJet will begin flying between Calgary and Dubai in March 2023 The passenger data reveal that WestJet has been granted permission to carry a total 59,520 seats. It will operate the route with its 320-passenger Boeing 787 Dreamliner – the only widebody long-haul aircraft in its fleet. That means the slots granted to WestJet would be sufficient for the airline to operate the route three times weekly. When contacted for comment, WestJet did not confirm or deny the new route. “We are constantly evaluating our network but have no new destinations or network updates to announce at this time,” the airline said. WestJet in early September received the last of seven Dreamliners in its originally 10-strong order. Chief executive Alexis von Hoensbroech, who arrived in the post in February, told FlightGlobal that the carrier was pulling back on long-haul flying as part of a new strategy. “It’s not the strategic goal for WestJet to be a widebody operator. It’s an opportunistic business and we do it as long as it makes sense,” he said in August. In October, the airline announced it would base all seven jets at its Calgary hub as a part of the strategy shift, with plans to double capacity in the city by the end of the decade. WestJet competitor Air Canada earlier this year said it plans to codeshare with Dubai-based Emirates Airline, under which the Montreal-based carrier intends to sell tickets on “key” Emirates flights, for example to Dubai. The deal is designed to give Air Canada’s customers “options” when travelling to Dubai and beyond, such as to India. The company said under the agreement, “select Air Canada flights” would also carry Emirates’ code, without saying which ones. According to Cirium schedules data, Emirates, Etihad Airways and Air Canada are the only carriers currently connecting Canada and the United Arab Emirates. Emirates and Air Canada operate the Toronto-Dubai route five times a week each, and Etihad flies from Toronto to Abu Dhabi six times weekly. Further ACL data indicates that WestJet may also begin to operate flights between Calgary and Edinburgh, Scotland for the summer 2023 travel season. The airline currently operates a daily flight between Calgary and London Heathrow, according to Cirium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest2 Posted November 14, 2022 Share Posted November 14, 2022 WestJet codeshare on flights to Tokyo, Japan now available through enhanced cooperation with Japan Airlines 14 November 2022Canadian Aviation News Guests now able to purchase travel from select destinations across WestJet’s domestic network to Tokyo via Vancouver CALGARY, AB, Nov. 14, 2022 /CNW/ – WestJet today announced an enhancement to its codeshare agreement with Japan Airlines, enabling the airline’s “WS” code on Japan Airlines (JAL) operated flights between Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Narita International Airport (NRT) in Tokyo, Japan. With the addition of Tokyo as a destination available for sale to guests on WestJet.com and through the airline’s call centre and travel trade partners, WestJet guests can now seamlessly book travel to Tokyo via Vancouver from across the airline’s domestic network. “As transpacific air travel increases between Canada and Japan, this is an ideal time to launch this new step in our cooperation with Japan Airlines,” said John Weatherill, WestJet Chief Commercial Officer. “Both our countries have substantial inbound and outbound tourism markets and this enhancement will bring more convenient options to travellers on both sides of the Pacific.” This new development expands the long-standing codeshare agreement between WestJet and Japan airlines which has been in place since 2011. Ross Leggett, Deputy Senior Vice President of Route Marketing, International Relations and Alliances of Japan Airlines said, “Japan Airlines is excited to strengthen our codeshare partnership with WestJet, by offering passengers more opportunities to travel between Japan and Canada. WestJet has been an outstanding partner, and we are committed to offering travellers seamless connectivity.” The codeshare will offer optimized connecting times between WestJet and Japan Airlines flights, through check in and baggage checked to final destination at the first point of departure, and the ability to earn and redeem WestJet Dollars for members of WestJet Rewards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest2 Posted December 5, 2022 Share Posted December 5, 2022 Non-stop to Tokyo this spring We can't keep the news under wraps any longer. Book your spring adventure to our newest routes of Tokyo, Edinburgh & Barcelona, non-stop from Calgary on our Dreamliner. Day 1 of the 12 Days of Giftmas is kicking off with great fares on all Asia and Europe flights. Call your travel agent, or Unwrap offer WestJet announces new service to Japan and Europe as part of planned expansion from YYC Calgary International Airport NEWS PROVIDED BY WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership Dec 05, 2022, 10:32 ET SHARE THIS ARTICLE Airline takes first step in growing overall capacity from YYC by more than 25 per cent in 2023 New intercontinental routes between Calgary and Tokyo, Barcelona, Edinburgh, and increased frequencies between Calgary and Dublin, London, Paris and Rome significantly enhance options for leisure guests, business travel and cargo services CALGARY, AB, Dec. 5, 2022 /CNW/ - WestJet today, as part of its wider growth strategy, announced its 2023 summer 787 Dreamliner routes from YYC Calgary International Airport, unveiling Tokyo, Japan, as its first destination in Asia with new service to Narita International Airport. The airline is also creating greater two-way tourism opportunities and increasing connectivity between Western Canada and Europe with new service between Calgary and Barcelona, Spain and Edinburgh, Scotland along with increased frequencies on existing European routes. Today's announcement comes as WestJet prepares for broader expansion within Canada and North America over the coming months. Positioned perfectly to connect Western Canada to the world, WestJet's 787 flying from Calgary will see the airline take flight to eight transoceanic destinations in 2023. With 40 weekly departures strategically scheduled to maximize connecting capacity across 24 Western Canadian communities, the airline will offer more competitive options for its leisure and business guests and cargo customers as it fulfills its new strategic direction. "This is an exciting day for the WestJet Group, our guests, and partners as we deliver on our new strategy and demonstrate our western focus as we increase our Calgary capacity by more than 25 per cent in 2023. Starting with the expansion of our intercontinental routes, future announcements will focus on domestic and North American additions that will bring even more affordable travel options to our guests in the new year," said Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet Group Chief Executive Officer. "With Calgary as home base to our 787 aircraft, access between western Canadian communities and these intercontinental destinations will play a vital role in creating an economically prosperous aviation pipeline that better connects Canadians to the world and the world to Western Canada." Tokyo, Japan - Alberta's Only Non-Stop Gateway to Asia With its expansive modern architecture, traditional roots, established ties to Alberta's tourism and business economies and connectivity to more than 50 destinations across the continent, Tokyo is a natural choice for WestJet's first destination in Asia. With three-time weekly seasonal service beginning, April 30, 2023, WestJet will be the only airline providing transpacific service to Asia direct from Alberta. "The Government of Alberta congratulates Calgary and WestJet, and believes this is a major announcement for our province. Alberta is opening more to the world. We are excited to see the agreement from October result in billions of new investment come into Calgary, said Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta. "New routes are opening our province to major cities throughout the globe. We look forward to more good news like this in the future and remain committed to growing Alberta's aviation and tourism sector in the future." Details of WestJet's Service to Tokyo* Route Start Date Frequency Departure Time Arrival Time Calgary – Tokyo Narita April 30, 2023 3x Weekly 18:55 20:00 Tokyo Narita – Calgary May 1, 2023 3x Weekly 22:00 16:00 * Pending Government Approval Strengthening Western Canada's tourism pipeline between Alberta and Europe with more flights and non-stop access to Scotland and Spain WestJet will bolster its European presence between Calgary and six transatlantic destinations this summer by adding increased frequency on existing popular European routes and welcoming new non-stop service to Edinburgh, Scotland and Barcelona, Spain. WestJet's service from Calgary to both Barcelona and Edinburgh will operate seasonally from May to October, up to three-times weekly. With the addition of its newest routes, WestJet will offer service to six European cities, increasing capacity by 95 per cent with flights to London Heathrow and Gatwick, Paris, Rome and Dublin. "This is a tremendous day for WestJet, our city and for YYC Calgary International Airport. Calgarians will now have more choices when travelling abroad thanks to WestJet's major investment in flights from our airport. WestJet making Calgary its single global 787 hub and these additional route offerings demonstrates their confidence in the economic future of both Calgary and Alberta. And it reinforces the advantage of YYC Calgary International Airport's strategic position as a global connections hub," said Bob Sartor, President and CEO of the Calgary Airport Authority. Details of WestJet's Summer 787 Service to Europe Route Start Date Peak Frequency Calgary – Barcelona* May 6, 2023 3x Weekly Calgary – Edinburgh* May 17, 2023 3x Weekly Calgary – London Heathrow Continued from Winter 7x Weekly Calgary – London Gatwick April 30, 2023 7x Weekly Calgary – Paris Continued from Winter 7x Weekly Calgary – Rome April 6, 2023 5x Weekly Calgary – Dublin April 30, 2023 5x Weekly *New Route from YYC Additional Quotes: "Today's announcement is bigger than new direct flights. It means new jobs. It means a boost to our tourism industry and better links between Calgarians and their families abroad. It means greater access to our incredible city. WestJet's new routes will play a big role in attracting investment and visitors to Calgary. Congratulations to WestJet and YYC for creating additional ways to connect Calgarians and our economy to the world." - Jyoti Gondek, Calgary Mayor "This is the first time we've ever had a direct route between Edinburgh and Calgary, and it is always exciting to see our connectivity expand and bring Scotland closer to major cities around the world. WestJet's commitment to Edinburgh and Scotland is a show of confidence in our market and demonstrates the huge interest in both Scotland and Canada as tourist destinations as well as important business and trade links. We are prepared for a stampede for tickets and are looking forward to working with WestJet to make this route a success and explore further opportunities if and when they arise." - Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport "The launch of a direct service between Edinburgh and Calgary is great news for people and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. We are investing in this service to make it easier to travel between Scotland and Calgary, as well as other parts of Canada and the West Coast of America, given Calgary's role as a connecting hub for WestJet. It has the potential to create economic, social and cultural benefits while also enhancing our international connectivity. I also welcome the use of the Boeing 787 on the route, one of WestJet's latest generation aircraft that will help reduce carbon emissions. I wish WestJet and Edinburgh Airport every success with this new service." - The Scottish Government's Minister for Transport, Jenny Gilruth About WestJet In 26 years of serving Canadians, WestJet has cut airfares in half and increased the flying population in Canada to more than 50 per cent. WestJet launched in 1996 with three aircraft, 250 employees and five destinations, growing over the years to more than 180 aircraft, 14,000 employees and more than 110 destinations in 24 countries. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com. Connect with WestJet on Facebook at facebook.com/westjet Follow WestJet on Twitter at twitter.com/westjet and twitter.com/WestJetNews Follow WestJet on Instagram instagram.com/westjet/ Subscribe to WestJet on YouTube at youtube.com/westjet Read the WestJet Newsroom at westjet.com/en-ca/news Recent recognition includes: 2020/2019 Number-One Ranked Canadian Airline Loyalty Program in Member Engagement (Bond Brand Loyalty) 2019/2018/2017 Best Airline in Canada (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines) 2019 Winner Among Mid-Sized Airlines in North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines) 2019/2018 Number-One-Ranked Airline Credit Card in Canada (Rewards Canada) SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership Restrictions apply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest2 Posted December 6, 2022 Share Posted December 6, 2022 WestJet announces commitment to grow Alberta’s Indigenous tourism industry – Canadian Aviation News (wordpress.com) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest2 Posted December 28, 2022 Share Posted December 28, 2022 Westjet looks to centralize, make flying cheaper Calgary Herald 28 Dec 2022 JOSH ALDRICH jaldrich@postmedia.com Twitter: @Joshaldrich03 GAVIN YOUNG FILES Westjet chief executive Alexis von Hoensbroech says the airline “was trying to be too many things to too many people, and we have to focus on those areas that made Westjet strong in the first place.” He said Westjet's commitment to cutting costs will bring lower ticket prices. Alexis von Hoensbroech spent the first 10 and a half months as Westjet's chief executive laying the groundwork for change — 2023 will be about seeing his plan in action. The new direction is more of a course correction, an attempt to take the Calgary-based airline back to its roots in a world emerging from two years of pandemic restrictions and lockdowns. This means more centralization in Western Canada while looking for ways to make flying more affordable and improving the product. “2023 will be the year where we do a lot of the implementation of the strategy,” he said. “If you look at an airport like Calgary, we will see more than 25 per cent growth from 2022 to '23. So this is a lot of additional capacity and this will come with quite a few additional routes.” Von Hoensbroech was named chief executive on Dec. 17, 2021, and landed in Calgary to officially take over the position in the middle of February. He was considered a rising star with the Lufthansa Group, having previously served for three years as chief executive of Austrian Airlines, that country's largest airline pre-pandemic. Challenges remain as the airline industry continues to recover from restrictions and health orders during two years of COVID-19. Westjet was the only major Canadian airline that did not take pandemic-related federal government assistance, but instead took on hundreds of millions of dollars in losses and debt. “I think Westjet was doing too many things, was trying to be too many things to too many people, and we have to focus on those areas that made Westjet strong in the first place,” said von Hoensbroech. For 2022, the airline is running at 78 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, with federal restrictions on flying and cross-border travel still in place until Oct. 1. In December, the airline is running at 90 per cent of pre-pandemic levels — averaging about 600 flights a day with 65,000 guests — and is forecasting a return to 2019 numbers by the second or third quarter of 2023. This was before extreme weather wreaked havoc on the airline industry during the holiday season. Between Dec. 18 and Dec. 26, 1,450 flights were cancelled by Westjet due to winter storms across the country, affecting thousands of travellers. On Dec. 23 alone, 333 flights were grounded. The first major announcement von Hoensbroech made after taking his post was to announce a takeover of vacation destination airline Sunwing, based out of Toronto. In October, the federal Competition Bureau raised concerns over the merger and the deal remains in the regulatory process with a final decision not expected until the new year. The acquisition would strengthen Westjet's position in the sun travel sector, with Sunwing owning 45 hotels in destinations throughout Mexico and the Caribbean. Competition, particularly in Western Canada, has only increased for Westjet this year. Edmonton-based Flair Airlines has worked to expand its footprint, while Lynx Air launched in Calgary in April. Jetlines started out of Toronto in September, and Porter Airlines has begun to expand its network west from Toronto with new routes to Calgary and other destinations. Pre-pandemic, there were only two airlines flying Toronto to Vancouver, and by next summer there will be five or six. The competition has largely crowded the low-cost market that Westjet is targeting. “In the end, I don't really care what they do. What I care about is what we do, and we do what we have always been good at, which is being relentless on costs,” said von Hoensbroech, which he adds will lead to lower ticket prices. In June, the new chief executive unveiled his vision for Westjet. The airline cancelled all orders for 787 Dreamliners, leaving its wide-body fleet at seven, while announcing a focus on narrow-body aircraft. Westjet has since increased its 737 Max purchase order with to 65 Boeing from 23. In making this pivot, Westjet has made Calgary International Airport its hub for Dreamliners, while relaunching routes to London, Paris and other European destinations. In December, new routes were announced to Edinburgh and Barcelona. The airline also unveiled its first foray into Asia with a direct flight to Tokyo. Von Hoensbroech said the company will continue to monitor demand for new destinations. The strategy also outlined a restructuring of regional service, particularly in Western Canada with its fleet of De Haviland Dash 8s. Meanwhile, Westjet will continue to work toward environmental sustainability in the new year. The new 737 Max planes on order are more efficient than most planes in the segment, and the airline launched a biofuel pilot project this fall for its San Francisco to Calgary route. “Sustainability and emission reduction is one of the biggest challenges that our society is facing, and we as an aviation industry have to do our part to help to support that,” said the chief executive. It has not been all victories for Westjet in 2022. A cooling issue with the company's servers caused a system-wide outage in November, which led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights and leaving thousands of passengers stranded. Von Hoensbroech called it an expensive lesson and said they have “doubled down” on targeting deficiencies in the IT system to prevent a similar situation. “That's what we owe to our guests,” he said. “When it comes to the resilience of our internal setup like our IT system, it is our responsibility toward our guests that we fix this — and we are fixing this.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest2 Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 Interesting ..... Wet Lease GetJet Airlines Returns to Canadian Skies – Wet Leasing One Boeing 737-8800 to Fly Swoop 2 January 2023Canadian Aviation News Vilnius, January 2, 2023 – GetJet Airlines, the IOSA-approved Lithuanian ACMI and Charter carrier, has announced the wet-lease of 1 B737-800 to Fly Swoop, the Canadian ultra-low-cost carrier owned by WestJet, the second largest airline in Canada and one of the top 10 airlines in North America by the number of passengers carried. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
North of You Posted January 3, 2023 Share Posted January 3, 2023 Goto love big business in the western world. Your own workers are refusing to work for the wages you are offering, so the answer is to bring in more TFW to fill the gap. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 Westjet cancels flights between Halifax and Europe for summer 2023 Story by Anjuli Patil • 1h ago Comments Westjet has cancelled its flights between Halifax and Europe for this summer. Westjet announced it would not offer direct flights to Europe this summer from Halifax.© Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press Previously, Westjet offered direct flights from Halifax to London Gatwick, Dublin, Glasgow and Paris during the summer months. In a news release on Monday, the airline said the suspension was temporary, but also that it would "evaluate the return of transatlantic service in 2024." Westjet said tickets for the summer 2023 European routes from Halifax were never made available for sale. The airline said it was planning to enhance service in Canada, including between Halifax and Western Canada. "As we continue to responsibly balance our schedule alongside operational requirements, capacity constraints and the deployment of our aircraft across Canada, we are making these difficult decisions now to enable us to re-position our investments to best serve [Nova Scotia] for years to come," John Weatherill, WestJet Group executive vice-president and chief commercial officer, said in a news release. In a statement to CBC News, Halifax Stanfield International Airport said it was "disappointed Westjet won't be back this summer ... but we understand they are dealing with capacity challenges not a lack of interest or support in serving this market." The airport said it has year-round daily non-stop flights operated by Air Canada between Halifax and London Heathrow, the largest hub airport in the United Kingdom. Non-stop routes 'critical' for tourism and trade The airport said peak summer travel will be supported by additional flights between Halifax and Frankfurt offered by Condor and Eurowings Discover. The companies will each offer three non-stop, weekly flights. The airport's statement said non-stop routes are important for tourism and trade. "We continue to work closely with existing and prospective airlines, and we will pursue every opportunity to increase Nova Scotia's connections to the world," it said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadaEH Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 If anyone is surprised by this they've been living under a rock. Must be a slow news day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted February 7, 2023 Share Posted February 7, 2023 WestJet pilots at an ‘impasse’ with airline over contract talks: union By Amanda Stephenson The Canadian Press Posted February 7, 2023 1:00 pm Then union representing WestJet pilots says contract negotiations with the airline have been unproductive and federal arbitration may be needed to avert a strike. ALPA Canada, which represents approximately 1,800 pilots at WestJet and its low-cost subsidiary Swoop, says it has been negotiating unsuccessfully with the Calgary-based company since September. “We’re getting very close, in our opinion, to being at an impasse,” said Bernie Lewall, chair of the union’s WestJet Pilots Association. “I think it is very likely that we’re going to enter conciliation soon — as far as a strike, I can’t say.” At issue, Lewall said, are wages and scheduling concerns as well as the union’s desire to see all pilots that fly WestJet planes receive “equal pay for equal work.” Currently, pilots who fly for the Swoop banner are paid less than pilots who fly for mainline WestJet. With WestJet’s proposed acquisition of leisure carrier Sunwing awaiting regulatory approval, Lewall said the union is concerned about the creation of yet another class of pilots with a different pay scale. “We could get into a position where we potentially could have three airlines under the WestJet group of companies, all flying the same aircraft type for different wages and working conditions,” he said. “We just see that as an attempt by management to work around the current WestJet pilots’ contract.”response from airline, Sask. woman travels to Alta. to hunt down lost luggage In an emailed statement, WestJet spokeswoman Denise Kenny said the airline remains focused on successfully working with ALPA to reach an agreement. “We are committed to working together to address issues raised by our valued pilots as we move forward through any required steps of the bargaining process,” Kenny said. Trending Now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FA@AC Posted February 8, 2023 Share Posted February 8, 2023 WestJet CEO von Hoensbroech interview on CBC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted February 8, 2023 Share Posted February 8, 2023 A shared product and that is exactly right. All having to meet the same standard re complaint response. YES.... But ...... will that shared product and shared response ever happen? Not under our present government and likely not any other one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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