News / Air & Airports

WestJet's ULCC to take flight next June

Blake Wolfe

08-01-2017 12:05 pm

Blake Wolfe

Blake Wolfe is an award-winning journalist and editor, who joined PAX after nearly 10 years in Canada’s newspaper industry. In addition to PAX, his work has been featured in publications such as the Metroland Media group of newspapers and the Toronto Sun.

WestJet will launch its ULCC in June 2018, with fares expected to go on sale early in the coming year, according to WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky.

During a conference call discussing the airline’s Q2 results, Saretsky provided details on the ULCC announced earlier this spring. According to Saretsky, Transport Canada approval and the receipt of an air operator’s certificate is expected to take place in Q1 of 2018.

He also cited the necessary reconfiguration of the ULCC’s first 10 737s from WestJet’s current fleet, which has been pushed to the spring as opposed to taking place during the busy holiday season.

“We’d rather not take that hit to capacity during a very busy time of year,” Saretsky said.

He added that head office staff for the ULCC are currently being hired and will move into a small office location separate from that of the main fleet. In addition, the ULCC will not be booked via Sabre, Saretsky explained, citing costs.

Regarding the ULCC’s presence in Ontario, Saetsky said that due to costs, the new line will mostly operate out of smaller southern Ontario airports with lower fees, while maintaining a small presence at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Saretsky added that he sees an opportunity for the ULCC to operate out of Pearson’s in-field terminal, should the facility be reopened.

In its Q2 results, WestJet posted net earnings of $48.4 million, compared with the net earnings of $36.7 million reported in the second quarter of 2016, an increase of 32 per cent. During that period, WestJet flew a record 5.9 million guests.