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Airline wins prestigious global award from Air Transport World magazine

CALGARY, Jan. 13, 2014 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced that Air Transport World has named it the 2014 Value Airline of the Year as part of the magazine's 40^th annual global airlines industry achievement awards.

"WestJet is a highly worthy-recipient of ATW's Value Airline of the Year Award," said Karen Walker, ATW's Editor-in-Chief. "WestJet is not just Canada's second-largest airline with about a 40 per cent market share, but it routinely is recognized as one of country's top overall companies and has the kind of stellar customer service reputation that has eluded most North American airlines in recent years. In 2013, WestJet launched a new regional airline called WestJet Encore, bringing lower fares and high value to smaller communities in Canada. 2013 was the carrier's ninth consecutive year of profitability — it even stayed in the black through the 2008 global financial crisis. For the full-year 2012, the company earned a 13.7 per cent return on invested capital."

This is the first time WestJet has received this award, which will be presented in Singapore on February 10, 2014, at a dinner on the eve of the Singapore Air Show, attended by executives from airlines and aviation around the world.

"To be recognized globally for value is an enormous honour and a testament to the hard work of our nearly 10,000 WestJetters," said Gregg Saretsky, President and CEO of WestJet. "Value, along with our caring corporate culture, is our DNA. We strive every day to bring value to our guests and we are grateful for their loyalty and support. We are very proud to win this award and especially, in a category so close to our hearts."

About WestJet
We are proud to be Canada's most-preferred airline, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers.  We offer scheduled service to more than 85 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Through our regional airline, WestJet Encore, and with partnerships with airlines representing every major region of the world, we offer our guests more than 120 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 www.westjet.com.

Recent recognition includes:

2014 Value Airline of the Year (Air Transport World magazine)
2013 Gold Stevie Award Best Transportation Company (American Business Awards) 2013 Chairman's Circle Award: WestJet Vacations (CPSC)
2013 Canada's Most Preferred Airline (Leger Marketing)
2013/2012 Canada's Most Attractive Employer (Randstad)
2013 WestJet RBC MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (Money Sense magazine)

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SOURCE WestJet