WestJet (WS, Calgary) has selected the B767-300(ER) ahead of its proposed expansion into the widebody market next year. The carrier said in a statement that four of the jets will be sourced for flights between Alberta and Hawaii during Winter 2015/16. The service is currently operated with two B757-200s sourced from Thomas Cook Airlines UK (Manchester International) whose contract will expire in the spring of 2015.
"WestJet expects to expand its operation into overseas markets starting in the summer of 2016," it said.
Announcing the carrier's second quarter net income of CAD51.8million (USD47.88million), CEO Gregg Saretsky did not disclose whether or not the planes would be leased or acquired outright noting only that they will be “completely refurbished” before going into service.
Additional details regarding the airline's wide-body schedule will be released at a later date.
In related news, the airline's subsidiary, WestJet Encore (WR, Calgary), has firmed up options for five more Dash 8-400s valued at approximately USD835million at list prices.
"This transaction is a conversion of a batch of five options booked by the carrier’s parent company WestJet and follows the first conversion of five option aircraft announced on March 27, 2014, bringing the number of option aircraft exercised to 10," a press release read.
