Southwest Delays Program with WestJet

Southwest Airlines and WestJet were planning on implementing a code-share program. However, do to the recent global economic slowdown, WestJet announced that Southwest has delayed the program. Instead, Southwest will keep their concentration on surviving these economic times.

Said Bob Jordan of Southwest: “In response to the current economic environment, Southwest is focusing its immediate attention on several critical objectives, including increasing our revenues. While I am very excited about working to deliver new incremental revenue opportunities for 2009, it will have an impact on our timing for code-share delivery. We remain absolutely committed to our partnership with WestJet, and to code-sharing in general, and will do all we can to minimize the impact on our previously stated code-share plans.”

Canada, which some airline industry experts refer to as the “Southwest Airlines of Canada”, is a low cost airline based in Canada that prides itself on offering a lot of value. By 2013, WestJet plans to have 42 aircraft that will fly to destinations in Canada, the United States, the Caribbean and elsewhere. Despite this delay with Southwest, WestJet remains committed to working with the American airline.

Said Dr. Hugh Dunleavy of WestJet: “WestJet understands the decision made by Southwest. Our continued US expansion is a key strategy for our airline, but code-sharing is only one element of this. Both airlines remain committed to minimizing delays and are focused on generating revenue as quickly as possible. We have already implemented our distribution agreement and are close to starting a cargo program with Southwest.”

WestJet (Image: Flickr)