WestJet is opening its wallet, signing an agreement with Boeing for the purchase of new aircraft.
The new order with Boeing covers the purchase of 60 Boeing 737-10 MAX narrowbody aircraft, with options for an additional 25. The order also includes seven Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner widebody aircraft with options for four more.
This order increases the airline’s current order book to 123 aircraft and 40 options, while extending WestJet’s fleet growth plans through 2034. They were listed as unidentified in the Boeing order book in June.
WestJet currently operates 193 passenger aircraft, including 147 Boeing 737s, seven 787s and 39 DeHavilland Q400s.
The deal marks future economic benefits on both sides of the US/Canada border, securing long-term manufacturing jobs in both Canada and the United States.
In Quotes
WestJet Chief Executive Officer, Alexis von Hoensbroech, said:
“With the addition of these aircraft, WestJet has the largest order book of any airline in Canada and will double our fleet of Dreamliners, underpinning our growth plans and our commitment to affordable travel options for Canadians from coast-to-coast and exciting career paths for our people,”
“These highly efficient and comfortable aircraft are critical to the growth and renewal of our fleet and will also significantly improve our fuel consumption.”
Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Aeroplanes, added:
“We are honored that WestJet has once again placed its trust in Boeing with a major investment that builds on our three decades of partnership and solidifies their fleet for the decades ahead,” said
“We look forward to supporting WestJet’s exciting growth as they leverage the 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner to serve even more guests with great efficiency and comfort.”
Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Canadian Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, added
“This agreement between WestJet and Boeing reflects a pragmatic approach to doing business, creating new opportunities, economic benefits, and long-term jobs on both sides of the border, while ensuring that WestJet is well-equipped to grow, offer more options for passengers, and better connect Canadians,”
Supplying the long-term pipeline
With this deal, WestJet is taking steps to increase capacity (with the introduction of the Boeing 737 MAX 10), double its long-haul fleet (to 14 Boeing 787-9) and secure deliveries through to 2034.
Considering that narrow-body aircraft are in such high demand (with manufacturers struggling to keep up with that demand), stretching deliveries through to 20234 may not be a bad idea at all.
With the 737 MAX 10 yet to be certified, it’s an important component of WestJet’s future fleet, with 107 of the type ordered. That will go a long way to replacing existing Boeing 737-700/737-800s, whilst increasing capacity further with larger aircraft.
All it will take is a little time to get those aircraft delivered over the next nine years.
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