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WestJet comments on Transportation Modernization Act

CALGARY, May 16, 2017 /CNW/ - WestJet commented today on federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau's introduction of the Transportation Modernization Act including his request that the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) develop a passenger bill of rights.

"For more than 21 years, we have taken great pride in our award-winning culture of care and the efforts of our more than 12,000 WestJetters to deliver a remarkable guest experience each and every day," said Mike McNaney, WestJet Vice-President, Industry, Corporate and Airport Affairs. "We welcome the legislation and are committed to working with the CTA, the Minister, parliamentarians and government agencies in the months to come.

"We also encourage the government to address all aspects of the travel experience, particularly those beyond the control of airlines such as lengthy wait times for passenger screening and customs," Mike McNaney added. "We believe that any effort to improve the guest's travel experience must take into account all aspects of that experience, in particular those services provided by the federal government."   

As the federal government moves forward with policy changes to improve commercial aviation, WestJet has been investing heavily in providing consumers with ever-expanding choice and options. Consistent with our vision to enrich the lives of everyone in WestJet's world, the airline plans to launch an ultra-low-cost carrier by the end of 2017 and has committed to the purchase of 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which will begin arriving in 2019, with an option for 10 more. As it has since 1996, WestJet continues to provide Canadians with greater access to global and domestic markets, driving tourism growth and offering more choice and competition.

WestJet also unveiled today its latest marketing campaign under the Owners Care umbrella, specifically focused on WestJet's unique position as one of the few airlines globally that does not commercially overbook its flights. The 60-second commercial features a passenger overbooked on another airline voicing his frustration to anyone who will listen.

About WestJet
We are proud to be Canada's most trusted airline, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers. WestJet, and our regional airline, WestJet Encore, offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Through our 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:
2017 Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice Winner Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines – North America (TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2016 Canada's Most Trusted Airline (Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)
2016 Canada's most reputable company for Corporate Social Responsibility (Reputation Institute)
2016/2015/2014/2013/2012 Ranked top three for Canadian Brands (Canadian Business Magazine)
2016/2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (MoneySense magazine)
2015/2011/2010/2008/2007/2006/2005 Canada's Most Admired Corporate Culture (Waterstone Human Capital)
2015 Best Employers in Canada (Aon Hewitt

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SOURCE WestJet

For further information: Media contacts: To contact WestJet media relations, please email media@westjet.com