WestJet Airlines expected to fly wide-body aircraft by early 2015

Low-cost Canadian carrier WestJet Airlines has indicated that it is going ahead with its plans to introduce its own wide-body Boeing 757 aircrafts, which is likely to start flying from as early as fall 2015. The airline’s decision is being strongly supported by WestJet Airlines’ Board of Directors as well as WestJet Pilot Association. The airline is presently into the final stages of its negotiations to procure wide-body aircraft.

Gregg Saretsky, President and CEO of WestJet Airlines, said that the airline’s decision to operate its own wide-body aircraft is a significant step in the transformation of WestJet as a leading low-cost carrier in the country.

Saretsky said that WestJet Airlines has been able to make great strides because of several factors. The airline’s successful low-cost business model has played a significant role in growing its network and strengthening its partnerships.

WestJet Airlines stated that it will initially introduce 4 wide-body aircrafts with the deployments being made first on routes between Hawaii and Alberta. The new flights will begin operations in late 2015 during the winter season.

Thomas Cook is presently operating the winter service on Alberta-Hawaii route on behalf of WestJet Airlines with the help of two Boeing 757-200 aircrafts. The seasonal service being operated by Thomas Cook is scheduled to end in the spring of 2015.