Calgary based airline WestJet has placed an order for 60 737 MAX aircraft from Boeing, with options for an additional 25 of the class, alongside with seven 787 Dreamliner jets with an option for four more.
That order increased WestJet’s order book with Boeing to 123 aircraft and 40 options, reflecting what the airline said was a fleet growth plan extending into 2034.
“With the addition of these aircraft, WestJet has the largest order book of any airline in Canada and will double our fleet of Dreamliners, underpinning our growth plans and our commitment to affordable travel options for Canadians from coast to coast and exciting career paths for our people,” said WestJet Chief Executive Officer, Alexis von Hoensbroech, in a prepared news release.
The announcement followed an announcement on Aug. 28, that WestJet had signed an inter-airline partnership with Copa Airlines to increase travel options across Central and South America for WestJet customers.
WestJet began in 1996 with three Boeing 737 aircraft, and now flies almost 150 of the 600, 700, 800 and MAX class 737s. Boeing’s orders and delivery book shows that since 2000, WestJet has ordered 237 planes from Boeing.
It currently operates 193 passenger aircraft consisting of 147 Boeing 737s, seven 787s, and 39 De Havilland Q440s.
“We are honored that WestJet has once again placed its trust in Boeing with a major investment that builds on our three decades of partnership and solidifies their fleet for the decades ahead,” said Stephanie Pope, CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
“We look forward to supporting WestJet’s exciting growth as they leverage the 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner to serve even more passengers with great efficiency and comfort.”
WestJet, in their news release on the orders, said that the deal would provide future economic benefits for both Canada and the United States with a contributing benefit of $4 billion to the Canadian economy each year.
Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration Joseph Schow said that Alberta’s economic success was on full display with the order from WestJet.
“This major investment is a clear vote of confidence in our economy, and will contribute to the soaring success of Alberta’s aerospace and aviation sector,” he said.
“WestJet’s fleet investment will add valuable jobs to Alberta’s aerospace and aviation sector, which already supports 19,000 jobs and contributes more than $1.8 billion to the provincial GDP. With companies like WestJet finding success in Alberta, the province is on course to become the next global hub for aerospace and aviation and to attract more industry players to land in Alberta.”
