Calgary-based carrier WestJet announced today a definitive purchase agreement with The Boeing Company for up to 20 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
This agreement includes commitments for 10 Boeing 787-9 aircraft to be delivered between the first quarter of 2019 and December 2021, with options for an additional 10 aircraft to be delivered between 2020 and 2024. The airline has selected General Electric’s GEnx-1B engine for the 787.
The state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is 20 percent more fuel efficient than the Boeing 767 aircraft. With a range of more than 14,000 kilometres, it will give WestJet the ability to serve new destinations in Asia and South America, and to expand its service offerings into the European market.
“This order represents an exciting new chapter in WestJet’s history,” said Gregg Saretsky, WestJet president and CEO. “We have carefully executed on our strategic plan, first launching WestJet Encore to connect smaller communities across Canada to our growing network followed by our successful venture into wide-body flying to Hawaii and London Gatwick. Now, with the most sophisticated commercial airliner available, we turn our attention to further growing our international presence and introducing even more travellers to our award-winning guest experience.”
“We welcome WestJet to the Dreamliner family and look forward to the new destinations they will serve,” said Ray Conner, vice-chairman of The Boeing Company. “WestJet, for its entire 21-year history, has been a loyal all-Boeing jet customer and we’re excited to see them expand their fleet with the 787.”
As part of this purchase agreement, WestJet is converting 15 firm orders for the Boeing 737 MAX that were to be delivered between 2019 and 2021 to options available between 2022 and 2024.
The information presented above is “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, information respecting: the anticipated timing of the proposed 787 deliveries to WestJet’s fleet; the potential exercise of the option to acquire additional 787 aircraft; the expected benefits of the 787 aircraft and the GEnx-1B engine to WestJet; WestJet’s intentions to grow its international presence; and the availability and anticipated timing of the addition 737 MAX option aircraft.
Readers are cautioned that undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information as actual results may vary materially from the forward-looking information provided.
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