Today we will look back over the nearly 29-year history of Canadian airline WestJet, specifically the airline's early operations. In a bid to offer less expensive fares than Canadian national flag carrier Air Canada, WestJet was founded on June 27, 1994.

Based on a model developed by American low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines, WestJet planned to offer budget flights throughout the provinces of western Canada. A legend in aviation circles, Brazilian-American businessman David Neeleman, along with Clive Beddoe, Mark Hill, Tim Morgan, and Donald Bell got together to make the airline a reality.

WestJet's home is in Calgary

Mark Hill's mother came up with the name WestJet, which portrayed what the airline was about. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, the plan was to fly throughout Canada's western provinces. Using a fleet of three used Boeing 737-200s and 225 employees, WestJet's first flight took place on February 29, 1996.

Based at Calgary International Airport (YYC), WestJet offered low-cost flights to the following destinations:

  • Edmonton International Airport (YEG) in Alberta
  • Kelowna International Airport (YLW) in British Columbia
  • Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in British Columbia
  • Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG) in Manitoba.

By the end of its first year of operations, WestJet had added the following destinations to its network:

  • Regina International Airport (YQR) in Saskatchewan
  • Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport (YXE) in Saskatchewan
  • Victoria International Airport (YYJ) in British Columbia

Westjet suffered a minor setback following a disagreement with Transport Canada over its maintenance schedule in September 1996. The result was Transport Canada grounding WestJet's planes for two weeks until the situation was resolved.

WestJet went public, offering shares for $10 each

Following a change in management that saw former Air Ontario executive Steve Smith became the new CEO, WestJet went public, selling 2.5 million shares for $10 each. The same year WestJet added the following destinations to its network:

  • Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT) in Ontario
  • Grande Prairie Airport (YQU) in Alberta
  • Prince George International Airport (YXS) in British Columbia

Following disagreements over his style of management CEO Steve Smith stepped down and was replaced by former boss Clive Beddoe. When Air Canada took over Canadian Airlines in 2000, it opened up the Canadian aviation industry allowing WestJet to offer more flights to Eastern Canada.

WestJet expanded into Eastern Canada

WestJet opened a hub at John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM) in Ontario and began flying to:

  • Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport (YWO) in Ontario
  • Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport (YQM) in New Brunswick.

In 2001 WestJet expanded further, adding:

  • Fort McMurray International Airport (YMM) in Alberta
  • Comox Airport (YQQ) on Vancouver Island, British Columbia
  • Sault Ste. Marie Airport (YAM) in Ontario
  • Greater Sudbury Airport (YSB) in Ontario
  • Thompson Municipal Airport (YTH) in Manitoba
  • Brandon Municipal Airport (YBR) in Manitoba

Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Thompson, and Brandon were withdrawn. WestJet subsidiary WestJet Encore later resumed flights to Brandon and Sudbury. In 2002 and 2003, WestJet continued its Eastern expansion, adding the following eastern Canadian airports to its network.

  • London International Airport (YXU) in Ontario
  • Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
  • Windsor International Airport (YQG) in Ontario
  • Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) in Quebec
  • Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) in Nova Scotia
  • St. John's International Airport (YYT) in Newfoundland
  • Gander International Airport (YQX) in Newfoundland

Love aviation history? Discover more of our stories here

  • WestJet 737 MAX 8
    WestJet
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    WS/WJA
    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier
    Hub(s):
    Calgary International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, Vancouver International Airport
    Year Founded:
    1994
    CEO:
    Alexis von Hoensbroech
    Country:
    Canada