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WestJet's historical past, from plucky startup to world participant

Printed Could 16, 2023  •  3 minute learn

WestJet began with solely three planes in 1996, however now has roughly 180. Postmedia file picture

One other chapter within the historical past of Calgary-based WestJet is about to be written, with the airline’s pilots issuing a 72-hour strike discover and the corporate responding with a lockout discover. Many travellers are frightened the airline could possibly be shut down earlier than the Could lengthy weekend, however some stay hopeful last-minute negotiations may forestall disruptions to journey plans. Right here’s a timeline of great occasions in WestJet’s historical past through the years:

1996 – Calgary-based startup airline WestJet takes first flight, as a low-cost various to the nation’s main airways. The corporate has three plane, affords 5 locations and has 220 workers.

1999 – WestJet goes public, with an IPO held June 13, 1999. Shares went on sale at $10, and by 12 months finish have been valued at $18.

2000 – WestJet strikes into jap Canada, including Ottawa and Moncton as locations, with Hamilton as its jap hub.

2002 – WestJet targets the enterprise journey marketplace for the primary time, including Toronto and London, Ont., to its community.

2004 – WestJet provides U.S. locations to the combination; travellers can now fly to New York Metropolis, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Francisco, Phoenix, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa.

2006 – WestJet goes worldwide, including service to the Bahamas. It additionally launches WestJet Holidays, providing reasonably priced, dependable and simple reserving of trip packages.

2009 – WestJet opens its new Calgary headquarters, a $100-million constructing close to Calgary Worldwide Airport.

2012 – WestJet takes supply of its one centesimal Boeing 737 Subsequent Technology plane.

2012 – WestJet Encore launches. The regional provider goals to attach under-served smaller cities utilizing a fleet of Bombardier Q400 NextGen turboprop planes.

2013 – WestJet indicators letter of intent to buy 65 new Boeing 737 MAX plane.

2014 – WestJet takes its first transAtlantic flight, introducing seasonal continuous service to Dublin, Eire.

2015 – WestJet takes supply of 4 wide-body Boeing 767 plane, laying the groundwork for worldwide growth. It welcomes 20-million friends this 12 months, a brand new document.

2016 – WestJet celebrates its twentieth anniversary and launches its first wide-body transatlantic flight to London-Gatwick.

2018 – WestJet unveils its new Boeing Dreamliner. It’s a serious milestone for the corporate, which is able to take possession of 10 787s by 2021, with an choice to purchase 10 extra.

Westjet’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliner was opened up for media in Calgary to take a look at the interior on Feb. 14, 2019. This is the economy section of the plane.
Westjet’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliner was opened up for media in Calgary to check out the inside on Feb. 14, 2019. That is the economic system part of the aircraft. Photograph by Gavin Younger

2019 – Non-public fairness agency Onex Corp. indicators a pleasant deal to purchase WestJet in a transaction valued at $5 billion. WestJet’s headquarters will stay in Calgary. Additionally in 2019, WestJet unveils its new 787 Dreamliner, increasing its world attain.

2020 — The COVID-19 pandemic hits the aviation business laborious and most leisure journey is suspended. A whole bunch of plane are grounded. WestJet works to deliver stranded Canadians house, by way of 28 repatriation flights to 14 totally different worldwide locations. WestJet Cargo is stored busy with its work to assist fight provide chain points.

The number of parked WestJet Boeing 737 planes slowly grew at the Calgary International Airport amid the COVID-19 pandemic on April 21, 2020.
The variety of parked WestJet Boeing 737 planes slowly grew on the Calgary Worldwide Airport amid the COVID-19 pandemic on April 21, 2020. Gavin Younger/Postmedia

2021 — WestJet turns 25. From three plane with 5 locations, it’s grown to about 180 plane and greater than 100 locations in 23 international locations. Then-CEO Ed Sims publicizes his retirement, with the corporate praising Sims for main the airline by way of the pandemic — “the worst disaster in aviation historical past.” A brand new CEO is introduced — Alexis von Hoensbroech.

2022 — New WestJet uniforms are unveiled for workers, that includes a wide range of choices for a variety of particular person types and identities. YYC introduced as world connecting hub for complete 787 Dreamliner fleet.

2023 — New spring routes embrace Calgary to Japan.

Could 15, 2023 — WestJet pilots problem a 72-hour strike discover; the corporate responds with a lockout discover.

WestJet pilots held an informational picket at the Calgary International Airport on Monday, May 8, 2023.
WestJet pilots held an informational picket on the Calgary Worldwide Airport on Monday, Could 8, 2023. Gavin Younger/Postmedia

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