“Committed to leaving on a high note”: Sunwing’s Andrew Dawson to retire next year

Sunwing’s Andrew Dawson will retire next year once the winter 2025-26 season is complete, PAX has learned.

In a statement to PAX on Wednesday (March 5), Dawson, who is president of Sunwing Vacations Group, said that Sunwing is “fortunate to have such a talented, experienced and loyal team that is highly regarded throughout the industry.”

“I can confirm that I will retire from the organization next year, in March 2026,” he said. “The hardest part of my decision was breaking the news to my incredible team. At the same time, I know that, thanks to their passion and expertise, Sunwing Vacations and Vacation Express will go from strength to strength.”

“Over the next year, together with my team, I will continue to focus on the seamless integration of WestJet Vacations, and I'm committed to leaving on a high note once the integration is complete, while welcoming new colleagues and readying the brand so that it can unlock its immense potential.”

“The WestJet Group has a long-term strategy in place for the crucial vacations business, and I look forward to continuing to build on that vision over the coming year and of course championing my team's success in the years that follow."

Strategic changes

The news comes as WestJet announces strategic changes to the WestJet Group Executive Committee. 

One key change is the creation of a chief experience officer (CXO) role, which will be led by Samantha Taylor. 

Having joined Sunwing in 2020 as chief marketing officer and later serving as chief marketing and digital officer of Sunwing Vacations Group, Taylor will now oversee experience management, marketing, and contact centres across WestJet and Sunwing.

READ MORE: WestJet integration of Sunwing Airlines one step closer as crew begin training

Technology is also a focus in WestJet’s efforts to improve guest experiences.

Tanya Foster, chief information officer (CIO), will now lead a unified team overseeing all IT and digital technology across the WestJet Group.

Since joining the leadership team in January 2023, Foster has been instrumental in advancing the airline’s technology capabilities, the airline says.

WestJet is also set to complete its integration of Sunwing Airlines next month.

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