New WestJet discount airline service not expected until next summer
CALGARY — WestJet (TSX:WJA) says the launch of its new no-frills, low-cost airline won’t be until next summer after initially announcing plans it would start offering flights later this year.
The delay comes in part after the airline decided to switch to a lower-cost booking system, CEO Gregg Saretsky said Tuesday as the company posted its second-quarter results.
“That adds a little bit of timeline to it, in terms of negotiating of an agreement, and then the physical implementation of all the plumbing that’s required to support it. And we’re taking our time to get it right.”
He said WestJet also doesn’t expect to get regulatory certificates until the first quarter of next year, which is when the airline aims to release an initial flight schedule and start selling tickets ahead of a June launch date for flights.