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    Local Edmonton children will get a behind-the-scenes look at airport
    operations on September 24, 2009
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CALGARY, Sept. 24 /CNW/ - Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and WestJet today announced that children from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Edmonton will participate in their Passport to Success program on September 24, 2009.

Passport to Success offers young boys and girls from across Canada an inside look at how an airport works. The program helps them understand how the subjects they learn in school can lead to exciting career opportunities. Edmonton WestJetters will provide a behind-the-scenes tour of the Edmonton International Airport to approximately 13 local Boys and Girls Club children at 3:30 p.m.

"WestJet is thrilled to partner with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and to offer the Passport to Success program for the third year in a row," says Richard Bartrem, WestJet Vice-President of Culture and Communications. "Our airport WestJetters and our pilots show their true dedication to the communities we serve through WestJet Cares for Kids and the Passport to Success program.

"Passport to Success presents our children with a remarkable educational opportunity and a chance to be inspired by positive role models," said Pam Jolliffe, President and CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. "We appreciate WestJet's ongoing support of Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and our goal of providing every child with a supportive and enriching environment where they can find the path to a successful future."

The Passport to Success partnership aims to provide Boys and Girls Clubs across Canada with WestJet volunteers, fund raising support through the gift of flight, and the opportunity to share the WestJet culture and the aviation industry with young Canadians. The Edmonton International Airport tour is one of 13 happening across Canada between September 21 and October 17, 2009. In total, 170 children will participate in the 2008 Passport to Success program.

About WestJet

WestJet is Canada's preferred airline, offering scheduled service throughout its 66-city North American and Caribbean network. Named one of Canada's most admired corporate cultures in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. WestJet offers increased legroom, leather seats and live seatback television provided by Bell TV on its modern fleet of 81 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. With future confirmed deliveries for an additional 54 aircraft through 2016, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world.

About the Boys and Girls Clubs of Edmonton

Boys and Girls Clubs of Edmonton is a member of Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, a national movement of clubs with 700 community locations, currently serving more than 200,000 children and youth annually. For over 100 years, Boys and Girls Clubs have been helping young Canadians to discover, develop and achieve their potential. To learn more, visit www.bgccan.com.