2009 Issue 1 - Sabre Airline Solutions

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A Clear Vision A Conversation With … Sean Durfy, WestJet Chief Executive Officer
WestJet Airlines Photos courtesy of WestJet WestJet Airlines, Ltd., has come a long way since the days of three aircraft flying to five destinations in western Canada. Its growing fleet of Boeing Next- Generation aircraft now serve cities across Canada and the United States, including three Hawaiian destinations. It is quickly becoming the airline of choice for vacation travel with its Caribbean and Mexican destinations. Despite a global economy that is currently dictating a significant downturn in the airline industry, WestJet remains optimistic about its expansion plans. Yes, it’s been impacted. In February, the carrier posted a 45 percent slide in fourthquarter earnings to C$40.8 million (US$31.5 million) as harsh winter weather and waning demand for air travel continued to bog down its earnings. But Sean Durfy, WestJet chief executive officer, is bullish on his airline’s expansion plans, which forecasts 5 percent growth this year and includes adding eight more leased planes to its 77-plane fleet. “We’re still growing this airline,” Durfy said in a February interview with Canada’s Financial Post. “We’re still adding new routes, and we’ll continue to grow the WestJet Vacations product. We’re taking nine aircraft this year, and we have no flexibility on that.” During that interview, Durfy said there are several initiatives in the works that will help fill WestJet’s planes, most of which rely on the successful implementation of its new reservations system, built by Sabre Airlines Solutions ® , by the end of the year. While that process will likely push the launch of WestJet’s new loyalty program into the third quarter, it will enable the airline to increasingly move to an “à la carte” model, where passengers pay for the services they desire, such as advance seat selection and flexible fares. It will also enable the airline to implement its recently announced codeshare agreements with Southwest Airlines and Air France-KLM by the end of the year and during the first quarter of 2010, respectively. Talks continue with Cathay Pacific Airways and several other carriers over the potential for further codeshare agreements. “I think we will sign up at least one more this year for 2010,” Durfy said. What is the key to the carrier’s success? People, first. At WestJet, a team responsible for corporate culture organizes ascend 17
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2009 Issue 1 - Sabre Airline Solutions

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