WestJet
WestJet Airlines Ltd. is a major Canadian airline headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, near Calgary International Airport. It is the second-largest airline based in Canada, behind Air Canada, operating an average of 777 flights and carrying more than 66,130 passengers per day. In 2018, WestJet carried 25.49 million passengers, making it the ninth-largest airline in North America by passengers carried.
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| Founded | June 27, 1994 | ||||||
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| Commenced operations | February 29, 1996 | ||||||
| AOC # | Canada 8993, United States WJ0F768F | ||||||
| Hubs | Calgary | ||||||
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| Frequent-flyer program | WestJet Rewards | ||||||
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| Fleet size | 185 (including subsidiaries) | ||||||
| Destinations | 104 | ||||||
| Parent company | Onex Corporation | ||||||
| Headquarters | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | ||||||
| Key people | Alexis von Hoensbroech (President & CEO) | ||||||
| Revenue | CAN$4.733 billion (2018) | ||||||
| Operating income | CAN$155 million (2018) | ||||||
| Net income | CAN$91 million (2018) | ||||||
| Total assets | CAN$6.758 billion (2018) | ||||||
| Total equity | CAN$2.302 billion (2018) | ||||||
| Employees | 12,000 (January 2024) | ||||||
| Website | westjet.com | ||||||
WestJet was founded in 1994 and began operations in 1996. It began as a low-cost alternative to the country's competing major airlines. WestJet provides scheduled and charter air service to more than 100 destinations in Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
WestJet is owned by Kestrel Bidco Inc., a subsidiary of Onex Corporation. Although not a formal member of any airline alliance, WestJet has codeshare agreements with many other airlines. It operates two variants of the Boeing 737 Next Generation family, the Boeing 737 MAX, as well as the Boeing 787 aircraft, on select long-haul routes.
WestJet has two direct subsidiaries: WestJet Encore, which operates the Bombardier Q400; and WestJet Link, which operates the Saab 340B through a seat capacity purchase agreement with Pacific Coastal Airlines.
In 2018, WestJet had passenger revenues of CAN$4.733 billion.