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Former Facebook executive to lead airline's digital transformation 

CALGARY, Jan. 22, 2018 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced Alfredo C. Tan as Chief Digital and Innovation Officer. Alfredo will join WestJet on March 5, 2018.

Reporting to Ed Sims, Executive Vice-President, Commercial, Alfredo will head the further development and rollout of WestJet's digital strategy as the airline transitions from a low-cost, point-to-point carrier to a fully-fledged network airline. Along with leading the WestJet Digital team at the airline's headquarters in Calgary, Alfredo will begin to build a second team in Toronto. Together, these teams will collaborate in building out WestJet's full digital capabilities including the creation of a Toronto-based Innovation Centre of Excellence using non-traditional, leading-edge digital products, solutions and partnerships for WestJet.

"It is through digital transformation, coupled with our WestJetters' caring touch, that we will be able to provide the ultimate guest-centric service," said Gregg Saretsky, WestJet President and CEO. "Alfredo's digital understanding, experience and commitment to that core focus will allow us to innovate faster, collaborate more effectively and serve our guests better. I look forward to welcoming Alfredo to our talented team."

"We are most fortunate to have Alfredo's vision and deep experience to lead our digital transformation," said Ed Sims, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Commercial. "The exciting work we are undertaking to become a global carrier will be greatly supported by best-in-class digital products and services. I firmly believe that Alfredo and his team will transform the WestJet guest experience across all digital channels over the entire travel journey and across all guest touch points."

"I am very excited to be joining WestJet at this important juncture as it embarks on a bold journey in becoming a global airline," said Alfredo Tan. "In a world where change is the only constant, there are a select group of companies that are open to re-inventing themselves. They are willing to undergo the transformation required to drive substantial growth and delight customers today and tomorrow. WestJet has the culture, the people and the DNA to continue to innovate. I look forward to playing a part in this transformation."

Alfredo joins WestJet as a former Facebook and Instagram Executive in Canada, where he was a founding team member in early 2009. Alfredo went on to work with the leadership team in Asia-Pacific in 2016 to help launch Facebook and Instagram in the Philippines. Similar management and leadership assignments brought him throughout Southeast Asia and Latin America, where he was responsible for helping to build culture, drive operational excellence, strategic planning and accelerate revenue growth in emerging markets. His 20-year career has been focused in technology, digital media, enterprise marketing and strategy. Prior to his tenure with Facebook and Instagram, Alfredo also held leadership positions at Yahoo!, Sympatico MSN and Bell Canada.

About WestJet
WestJet is proud to be named Best Airline in Canada and one of the best Low Cost Airlines in North America, based on authentic reviews from the travelling public on Trip Advisor, the world's largest travel site. We are one of very few airlines globally that does not commercially overbook. Together with our regional airline, WestJet Encore, we offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in over 20 countries through our airline partnerships. WestJet Vacations offers affordable, flexible vacations to more than 60 destinations and the choice of more than 800 hotels, resorts, condos and villas.  Members of the WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of flights and vacations packages to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods, and have access to Member Exclusive fares offering deals to WestJet destinations throughout our network and those of our partner airlines.

WestJet is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol WJA. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.  

Recent recognition includes:
2017 Five-Star Airline in the Low-Cost Category (The Airline Passenger Experience Association)
2017/2016 Canada's Most Trusted Airline (Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)
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 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