Transport Canada increases flight attendant to passenger ratio for WestJet

Transport Canada granted (06-May-2013) permission for WestJet to increase the standard flight attendants to passenger ratio from one flight attendant to 50 compared to the current one to 40. Canada's Minister of Transport Denis Lebel said: "This decision will make WestJet more competitive with US airlines while maintaining a high safety standard." WestJet president and CEO Gregg Saretsky said: "This exemption will place us on a level regulatory playing field with US and international carriers who fly in and out of Canada every day under these rules." Mr Saretsky added: "We anticipate cost savings once this exemption has been operationalised across our network." [more - original PR - TC] [more - original PR - WestJet]