ICYMI: WestJet strategy shifts focus to Western Canada with more routes, connections
This does not mean the end of its foray into the massive transcontinental sector. The CEO said WestJet will be basing its fleet of seven Dreamliners out of Western Canada. Its current European routes will also continue as planned.
WestJet has returned to pre-pandemic levels of traffic in Western Canada but is still playing catch up in the east, including still lagging 25 per cent out of Toronto. “We have some factors that allow us to offer more affordable prices in the end,” said von Hoensbroech. “Our ambition is to be more affordable than our competitors and we will achieve that.”
Rick Erickson, a Calgary-based aviation analyst, called the plan “pragmatic” and will refocus the airline on its strengths of affordability.