News Releases
WestJet's regional airline now at 32 destinations and 30 aircraft
CALGARY, June 24, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, WestJet's regional airline, WestJet Encore, will celebrate its third year in the sky. The airline, powered by Canadian-made Bombardier Q400 aircraft, recently broke the six million guests-flown mark. Since its launch, Encore has been embraced by more than 30 Canadian communities seeking improved connectivity, lower fares and competitive air service.
"We've had a dramatic impact on the new markets we've served since our launch three years ago," said Ferio Pugliese, WestJet Encore President. "New WestJet Encore airports experience a 50 per cent increase in traffic on average, with some airports experiencing triple-digit percentage growth. Average fares in these same markets have fallen 20 to 40 per cent, year-over-year. We've created an entirely new set of air travellers who may not have had the opportunity to fly before due to limited options and high fares. We're extremely proud of the accomplishments and hard work of more than a thousand WestJetters who've helped make WestJet Encore a success."
"Over the last three years, we have watched WestJet Encore become the world's fastest growing operator of the Q400 aircraft – carrying millions of guests from coast to coast across Canada and into the U.S.", said Fred Cromer, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "We truly value their partnership and continue to be inspired by their now famous culture of creativity and ingenuity. We wish all the WestJetters at Encore a very happy third anniversary and much success in the future."
WestJet Encore launched on Monday, June 24, 2013 using two Bombardier Q400 aircraft. The day of the launch, Encore had 10 departures offering non-stop service between Calgary and Nanaimo, B.C.; Calgary and Fort St. John, B.C.; Vancouver and Fort St. John; and, Calgary and Saskatoon. Today, three short years later, WestJet Encore will operate 188 flights to 32 destinations.
WestJet recently exercised its final nine options to bring its Bombardier Q400 order to a confirmed 45 aircraft at a list price of US$1.59 billion. The Encore fleet represents one of the largest purchases of Ontario-made Q400 aircraft in the history of the province's aerospace industry and supports some of the best manufacturing jobs in this critical sector of the Canadian economy.
"WestJet Encore remains committed to evolving our network offerings and our guest experience to guarantee that we're meeting the needs of all Canadian travellers," said Pugliese. "We've had an exceptional three years thanks to the guests and communities we serve and know that even better days are ahead."
About WestJet
We are proud to be Canada's highest-rated airline for customer service, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers. We offer scheduled service to 100 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 150 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:
2015/2011/2010/2008/2007/2006/2005 Canada's Most Admired Corporate Culture
(Waterstone Human Capital)
2015 Best Employers in Canada (Aon Hewitt)
2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada
(MoneySense magazine)
2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in the Canada's Choice
ranking (RewardsCanada.ca)
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)
2014/2013/2012/2011 Highest equity score: airline, vacation package supplier brands
(Harris/Decima EquiTrend Study)
Connect with WestJet on Facebook at facebook.com/westjet
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Subscribe to WestJet on YouTube at youtube.com/westjet
Read the WestJet blog at blog.westjet.com
SOURCE WestJet
