The WestJet Group has announced plans purchase an additional Boeing 42 MAX aircraft – known for being 50 percent quieter than other aircraft – along with options for 22 more. The order is in addition to WestJet’s remaining 23 MAX orders and extends the airline’s fleet growth plans out to 2028.
The multi-billion-dollar investment will strengthen airline’s presence in Western Canada and underpin growth in transcontinental and leisure offerings from eastern Canadian communities as well as fostering the airlines low-cost positioning in the marketplace, says WestJet.
“With this additional order, the WestJet Group will accept delivery of no fewer than 65 aircraft in the next six years, at least 50 will be 737-10 aircraft, furthering our commitment to affordable travel options for Canadians and jobs for our company and the aerospace industry,” said WestJet Group CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech.
He added, “WestJet’s expansion plans are rooted in an enhanced presence in Western Canada and a growth strategy in eastern Canadian communities through increased transcontinental flights and more direct routes to sun and leisure destinations. This will be further strengthened once our Sunwing transaction has been approved.”
The state-of-the-art Boeing 737-10 aircraft is the largest model in Boeing’s MAX family and provides superior economic benefits to any other 737 aircraft in WestJet’s fleet, while ensuring simplicity through expected training commonality across the airline’s 737 fleet, says the airline.
“The 737-10 will be a game changer, with one of the lowest costs per seat among mid-range aircraft…” added von Hoensbroech. “In addition, with its lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions, the 737-10 will further improve the environmental footprint of our fleet.”
The WestJet CEO added, “This agreement… reflects our confidence in our business model and sustained market recovery, as we emerge from the pandemic being one of few airlines at scale that have not drawn any sector-specific government aid.”
The WestJet Group’s fleet, with an average age under 10 years, is among the youngest of established North American carriers. Among the features of the Boeing 737-10:
• Greater fuel efficiency and the best per-seat economics of any single-aisle airplane in the industry
• Can cover 99% of the world’s single-aisle routes, ideal to serve WestJet’s growing domestic and international network
• Reduced fuel use and carbon emissions by at least 20% per seat compared to previous generations, helping airlines make air travel even more sustainable
• Improved guest comfort with a quieter cabin featuring the Boeing Sky Interior, LED lighting that enhances the sense of spaciousness and larger overhead stowage bins
• Quieter airplane, creating a 50% smaller noise footprint than the airplanes it replaces.
WestJet has a current fleet size of approximately 170 aircraft across the WestJet Group, with 110 active 737s.