News Releases

Airline announces three-year partnership with tournaments

CALGARY, July 6, 2015 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced a three-year partnership as the official airline of the RBC Canadian Open and the Canadian Pacific Women's Open with a new Facebook contest and a golf-themed fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).

This year's RBC Canadian Open is set to take place at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, ON, July 20-26, 2015, and the 2015 Canadian Pacific Women's Open takes place at The Vancouver Golf Club in Coquitlam, BC, August 17-23, 2015.

"As an airline that earned its stripes on the leisure side of the business, and golf being a top Canadian leisure pursuit, sponsoring the RBC Canadian Open and the Canadian Pacific Women's Open is a natural fit," said Richard Bartrem, WestJet Vice-President, Communications and Community Relations. "Getting involved with both tournaments offers a great opportunity to celebrate Canadian's love of the game, especially since many of our guests fly WestJet to popular golf destinations across our network."

"WestJet has a shown tremendous innovation in how they engage with Canadians and we are honoured to align their respected brand with Canada's National Men's and Women's Open Golf Championships," said Golf Canada Chief Commercial Officer Gavin Roth. "The RBC Canadian Open and Canadian Pacific Women's Open are pinnacle events in Canadian golf and WestJet's partnership will further strengthen both championships' ability to connect with Canadian golf enthusiasts in communities from coast to coast."

WestJet will also team up with RBC and RMHC, a WestJet Cares for Kids national partner, for a special fundraiser during the RBC Canadian Open.

"We see an opportunity to highlight the tremendous work Ronald McDonald House Children's Charities does on behalf of families across Canada every day," continued Richard Bartrem. "Partnering with RBC and RMHC during one of the premier sporting events in Canada will help us raise funds and raise the profile of a valuable organization."

In order to ensure everyone across the country can share the excitement surrounding the RBC Canadian Open, WestJet wants you to share #YourOpenMoment. Visit the WestJet Facebook page to view a special video celebrating a love of the game. Share the video and one lucky winner will receive round-trip WestJet flights for two from anywhere in Canada, along with accommodation and tickets, to the RBC Canadian Open. WestJet's Facebook post is found at http://wja.co/WestJet-Golf.

About WestJet

We are proud to be powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers. We offer scheduled service to more than 90 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Through our regional airline, WestJet Encore, and with partnerships with airlines representing every major region of the world, we offer our guests more than 120 destinations in more than 20 countries. Leveraging WestJet's extensive network, flight schedule and remarkable guest experience, WestJet Vacations delivers affordable, flexible travel experiences with a variety of accommodation options for every guest. Members of our WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Our members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of WestJet flights and vacations packages on any day, at any time, to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods  ̶  even on seat sales. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.

Recent recognition includes:

2015 Best Employers in Canada (Aon Hewitt)
2014 Interbrand Canada's Best Canadian Brands (Rank #20)
2014 Brands of the Year (Strategy magazine)
2014 Canada's Most Preferred Airline (Ipsos)
2014 Value Airline of the Year (Air Transport World magazine)
2014/2013/2012 Canada's Most Attractive Employer (Randstad)
2014/2013 WestJet RBC MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (Money Sense magazine and RewardsCanada.ca) 
2014/2013/2012/2011 Highest equity score: airline, vacation package supplier brands (Harris/Decima EquiTrend Study)

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SOURCE WestJet