WestJet is positioning itself for notable growth as the airline industry prepares for summer 2025, focusing on increasing its flight volumes by 10% compared to the previous year. The Calgary-based airline has bolstered its fleet with nine Boeing 737 Max 8s previously leased by Lynx Air, after the discount carrier’s unfortunate demise. This strategic acquisition is aimed at overcoming the production delays affecting approximately 60 new Boeing jets expected to join their fleet by 2028.
Along with its fleet expansion, WestJet plans to kick off 11 new routes across its network, effective May 2025. The routes will primarily target major Canadian cities, such as Victoria and Montreal, reflecting the company's strategy to reinforce its domestic offerings. Notably, WestJet will also return to Sudbury, Ontario and Sydney, Nova Scotia, cities from which it had previously withdrawn operations.
WestJet's proactive approach stands out against its competitors, including Air Canada and Porter Airlines. Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium indicates these airlines are poised for modest increases of one to five percent flight volume this summer, whereas Flair Airlines is set to reduce its capacity slightly. Remarkably, WestJet's expansion occurs amid the backdrop of three Canadian airlines—Lynx, Canada Jetlines, and Swoop—having exited the market since October 2023.
Industry analysts, including Savanthi Syth from Raymond James, suggest WestJet’s competitive spirit is increasing, particularly as it strives to reclaim territory against Air Canada. "They are trying to reinforce their position within the Canadian marketplace by using their capacity to address competitive pressures from Air Canada, but also what they’re seeing from Flair," Duncan Dee, the former COO at Air Canada, noted.
This renewed focus on domestic travel by WestJet is likely influenced by the weakened Canadian dollar and rising price sensitivity among consumers, compelling Canadians to travel locally instead of venturing abroad. With the current socioeconomic climate placing pressure on household budgets, WestJet is adopting what Dee describes as “a very calculated move.”
While WestJet expands domestically, the airline safety sector is also undergoing significant consideration. A new report from AirlineRatings.com has identified the top airlines for safety standards for 2025. This annual assessment involves monitoring 385 airlines across various factors such as fleet age, serious incidents, fatalities, and safety audits, offering travelers valuable insight for their flight bookings.
Air New Zealand and Qantas are sharing the spotlight this year by vying for the top position, with only 1.5 points differentiates them due to Air New Zealand’s slightly younger fleet. CEO Sharon Petersen highlighted their similar safety standards, noting, "Whilst both airlines uphold the highest safety standards and pilot training, Air New Zealand continues to have a younger fleet than Qantas which separates the two." Below them, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, and Emirates share third place due to identical scoring across evaluated elements.
Canada’s flagship carrier, Air Canada, secured its spot among the top 25 safest airlines, ranking 20th. Meanwhile, WestJet has earned recognition as one of the safest low-cost carriers worldwide, coming in at 17th on the list of low-cost airlines. This distinction serves to bolster WestJet's position as it looks to expand its flight volumes.
For travelers seeking budget-friendly options, Hong Kong Express leads the list of low-cost carriers for safety, followed closely by Jetstar and Ryanair. The enhanced safety ratings provide travelers with reassurance as they navigate their air travel options amid the competitive realities of the airline market.
Overall, these developments signal a complex interplay between safety, customer service, and competition among airlines as they navigate the post-pandemic environment. The proactive growth strategies employed by WestJet could imply greater competition, which may lead to more options and potentially lower prices for consumers eager to travel more as summer approaches.
With changing consumer behaviors and competitive challenges, the path forward for airlines including WestJet emanates the importance of not just safety but also adapting to the economic realities of travelers. Although the relatively weaker Canadian dollar may steer customers toward domestic options, the desire for safe, reliable travel remains of utmost importance.