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WestJet merger with Sunwing to expand fleet, retire Sunwing brand

WestJet merger with Sunwing to expand fleet, retire Sunwing brand
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WestJet operates a relatively young fleet with a notable history. Established in 1994 as Canada's low-cost carrier, WestJet stands as the second-largest airline in the country, following Air Canada. Its operations spread across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, with some routes extending to Europe and Asia using Boeing 787 Dreamliners, first introduced to its fleet in 2019.

WestJet is in the process of merging with Sunwing Airlines, scheduled for completion by May 2025. This merger will see Sunwing's aircraft absorbed into the WestJet fleet, eventually retiring the Sunwing brand altogether. The current fleet is somewhat diverse but primarily consists of Boeing aircraft. Specific figures include 36 Boeing 737-700s averaging 18.8 years and 49 Boeing 737-800s with an average age of 12.4 years. The Boeing 737 MAX variants average 4.5 years, while their Dreamliners are 5.2 years old, on average.

WestJet Encore, a subsidiary focusing on short-haul routes, operates De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 turboprops with an average age of 9.3 years. The WestJet group also includes a cargo segment utilizing converted Boeing 737-800 freighters. An industry report previously noted, "Canadian carrier WestJet Cargo has parked two of its four leased 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF) in response to tough market conditions."

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The oldest mainline WestJet aircraft is a Boeing 737-700, 21.7 years old (registered C-FWCN), which continues to fly various domestic and international routes. "WestJet has signed multibillion-dollar deals with Boeing for at least 65 planes — 50 of them 737 Max 10s — by 2029 in a move the carrier has called a 'game-changer' that would reduce fuel costs and 'underpin' its growth," as reported by CBC.

The ongoing merger with Sunwing includes an aging Boeing 737-800 within its fleet, the oldest at 21 years, which has seen operations in multiple international locations, currently serving Canadian and Caribbean routes.

De Havilland's involvement in the fleet includes the Dash 8-400, a turboprop praised for its versatility. "The De Havilland Dash 8-400 has superior performance characteristics which allow it to operate routes to more remote airports," declared De Havilland Canada, highlighting its capability for diverse roles beyond passenger service.

While the Sunwing part of the merger faces completion delays, expectations remain high for WestJet's strategic advancements in the regional and global airline market.

Organizations Included in this History
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