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Airline's community investment program helps raise awareness

CALGARY, Sept. 16, 2011 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced its support of Beyond Borders, the Canadian representative of ECPAT International, which is a global network of more than 82 groups in 75 countries that work to end child prostitution, child pornography and the trafficking of children for sexual purposes (ECPAT). WestJet supports Beyond Borders through the gift of flight as well as increasing awareness of this important issue through social media, up! magazine (WestJet's inflight magazine), and westjet.com.

"WestJet is proud to support Beyond Borders in their mission to end the sexual exploitation of children everywhere," said Richard Bartrem, WestJet Vice-President of Communications and Community Relations. "We hope that our involvement with Beyond Borders will support them as they continue to make a difference."

"Beyond Borders is committed to working with all sectors of society towards eliminating the sexual exploitation of children," states Mark Hecht, the non-profit organization's co-founder and senior legal counsel. "We support self-regulation and corporate social responsibility initiatives that recognize the need to balance the rights of the child with profit making. WestJet is a welcome ally in our efforts to eliminate child sexual exploitation."

About Beyond Borders
Beyond Borders advances the rights of children everywhere to be free from sexual abuse and exploitation. The organization's first success came in 1996 when it successfully advocated for an amendment to Canada's child sex tourism legislation. The amendment broadened the legislation to include all child sex crimes, rather than the prostitution of children only. The law is also extraterritorial meaning that Canada has the jurisdiction to prosecute the offence regardless of where in the world it took place.

About WestJet
WestJet is Canada's favourite airline, offering scheduled service throughout its 71-city North American and Caribbean network. Inducted into Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures Hall of Fame and named one of Canada's best employers, 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 96 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. With future confirmed deliveries for an additional 39 aircraft through 2018, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world.

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