The pandemic continues to play havoc with Canadian airline executives. WestJet’s president and CEO is the latest to announce retirement. Ed Sims joins counterparts at Air Canada (Calin Rovenescu) and Air Transat (Jean-Marc Eustache) who have recently chosen to step down from their posts. Sims will stay on until the end of the year.

He will also continue as a member of the WestJet Group board of directors until December after which he will continue in a senior advisory role with Onex Partners focused on aerospace and aviation.

Among Sims’ accomplishments during his four years at the Calgary-based airline, he is credited with the successful introduction of the company’s Boeing 787 long-haul aircraft, the launch of two new airline ventures, the significant expansion of WestJet’s international network, as well as the continued growth of WestJet Vacations, WestJet Cargo, and the WestJet Rewards program.

Sims called his time with WestJet an “absolute career highlight” during his 35-year tenure in the travel and aviation industries,” and added: “The global pandemic and the ongoing travel restrictions have separated so many of us for so long from loved ones. With two children in New Zealand, I am prioritizing the needs of family who I will not have seen in two years.”

Chris Burley, chairman of WestJet’s board of directors, thanked Sims for leading WestJet through “the worst crisis in aviation history,” while WestJet board member and senior managing director at Onex Tawfiq Popatia added, “It’s hard to overstate the importance of Ed’s leadership through this exceptionally challenging period.”

The board of directors of WestJet has begun a search for a new Chief Executive Officer.