News Releases
CALGARY, Aug. 31, 2018 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced the appointment of Captain Jeffrey (Jeff) Martin to the position of Chief Operating Officer. Jeff will join WestJet on September 24, 2018, subject to Canadian immigration approval.
"Jeff is a highly accomplished aviation executive and an outstanding addition to our team," said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. "As WestJet continues to transform into a global airline, Jeff's extensive international experience will help ensure our continued success."
Reporting to Ed Sims, Jeff will oversee more than 11,000 WestJetters in WestJet's Flight Operations (including the Operational Control Centre), Guest Experience (Contact Centre and Inflight), Airports, Technical (Maintenance) Operations, Continuous Improvement, and the business strategy and execution of WestJet Encore.
"For years I have admired the WestJet culture and I am thrilled to become part of it," said Jeff Martin. "Joining WestJet at this pivotal point in its transformation to a global network airline is such an exciting opportunity. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a real game changer to WestJet's growth as it makes its mark on the world stage."
Jeff brings more than 28 years of commercial aviation and operational experience to WestJet. He comes from JetBlue, where he most recently served as Executive Vice-President of Operations, responsible for Technical Operations, System Operations, Safety, Security, Flight Operations, Training and Regulatory Compliance for the sixth largest airline in the U.S. Prior to that he spent 22 years at Southwest Airlines, where he began his commercial career as a pilot, and took on various leadership roles, eventually serving as Vice President of the Operations Coordination Centre.
Throughout his career, Jeff has maintained his currency as a pilot and civilian flight instructor and continued to fly. He maintains an Airline Transport Pilot Licence and is captain qualified on the DC-10, Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft. He also served in the United States Air Force flying KC-10s prior to beginning his commercial aviation career.
In addition to his work in the aviation industry, Jeff has been a board member at LaSalle Hotel Properties since October 17, 2016.
About WestJet
Together with WestJet's 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 proud to be recognized as Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice winner – North America for 2017 and 2018 in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines. The airline was also named the Travellers' Choice Winner – Economy, North America, 2018. All awards are based on authentic reviews from the travelling public on TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site. We are one of very few airlines globally that does not commercially overbook.
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:
2018 North America's Best Low-Cost Airline (Skytrax)
2018/2017 Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice Winner Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines – North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018 Travellers' Choice Winner – Economy, North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018/2017/2016 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)
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SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership
