WestJet reduces aircraft orders in face of economic uncertainty in Canada

WestJet CEO, Gregg Saretsky, said that "in light of the recent contradictory indications to a full economic recovery", the carrier has "re-evaluated our short-term capacity growth plans to ensure our capacity is well matched to anticipated demand" (The Canadian Press, 10-Aug-2010). Mr Saretsky added that the Canadian economy needs to rebound further before it can support more new domestic capacity growth. WestJet has arranged with Boeing to push back one aircraft delivery scheduled for 2011 and two deliveries scheduled for 2012 to 2017. The LCC will receive six new aircraft instead of seven in 2011, adding to its fleet of 91, to increase to 92 by year-end.