Soaring Together: the airline's strategic
growth report offers nationwide update on being the home carrier of
the west, leading in leisure coast-to-coast and safeguarding
affordability
The WestJet Group CEO calls for government
review of Canada's user-pay model
for aviation infrastructure
CALGARY,
AB, May 22, 2024 /CNW/ - The WestJet
Group today released Soaring Together its first progress report
highlighting the airline's accomplishments across Canada since the launch of its growth strategy
nearly two years ago.
"The WestJet Group continues to drive job creation, investment
and economic prosperity through the deployment of our ambitious
strategy that has enabled us to expand our network and unlock more
affordable travel options for Canadians," said Alexis von
Hoensbroech, WestJet Group Chief Executive Officer. "From
coast-to-coast, communities depend on our reliable and affordable
air service. As we build on our success to better serve our guests,
we must take action to safeguard affordability."
Major Highlights:
- In 2023, guests purchased more than 2.5 million tickets
below $100 from The WestJet
Group. Nearly 50 per cent of all tickets purchased were priced by
WestJet under $200.
- Across the last two years, The WestJet Group, has hired more
than 5,400 employees and currently employs 15,000 people.
- WestJet has positioned the YYC Calgary International Airport as
its global hub, making it the best connected mid-sized city in
North America. By the end of
2024, it's expected that The WestJet Group will grow its seat
capacity in Calgary by 40 per
cent from 2022 levels.
- As Canada's western leader,
WestJet is the number one carrier in eight of nine major
Western Canadian airports.
- WestJet is Canada's most
dependable major airline, surpassing industry standards in
on-time departures, arrivals, and completion rates. In April 2024, WestJet ranked second in on-time
performance against all major North American carriers.
- In 2023, WestJet completed its major acquisition of Sunwing
Airlines and Sunwing Vacations, bolstering scale and market
presence to bring the best vacation offerings to all Canadians.
Currently, one in two vacation packages sold in Canada will be sold through the various
brands that make up Sunwing Vacations Group.
Safeguarding affordability: The WestJet Group calls for a
freeze on mandatory government-imposed fees and the permanent
cessation of airport rent collection
Despite Canada's high cost and
uncompetitive regulatory environment, since WestJet was founded in
1996, ticket prices in Canada have
dropped by more than half in real terms, as a direct result of
WestJet's entry and ongoing competition in the market.
Given concerns around affordability and competitiveness, WestJet
is making the following policy recommendations to the federal
government:
- A comprehensive review of Canada's user-pay system for aviation
infrastructure. This review should consider competitiveness
impacts, intermodal equity, border leakage and value for
taxpayers
- An immediate freeze on mandatory imposed government fees,
charges and policies that increase the cost of travel
- The cessation of the collection of airport rents by the federal
government
"WestJet is committed to maintaining a transparent and low-cost
structure that welcomes competition and drives the best value for
our guests. Yet we operate in a very expensive and user-paid
infrastructure environment that significantly drives up ticket
prices for the everyday Canadian and hinders competition,"
continued von Hoensbroech. "Air travellers are paying too much in
government fees and charges on their plane ticket compared to other
nations and other modes of travel. These changes would increase
competition, lower ticket prices, and foster greater transparency
for our guests."
About WestJet
In 28 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 100 destinations in 26
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
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Read the WestJet Newsroom at westjet.com/en-ca/news
SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership