WestJet and CAE Partner to Establish the Alberta Training Centre of Excellence for Aviation and Aerospace

WestJet has today announced the signing of a 15-year training agreement under which CAE will establish the Alberta Training Centre of Excellence (the Centre) for Aviation and Aerospace.

WestJet Signs 15-year training agreement with CAE, Under Which CAE will Establish the Alberta Training Centre of Excellence for Aviation and Aerospace - Courtesy WestJet/CNW

On Wednesday (September 10, 2025), WestJet announced the signing of a new 15-year training agreement with CAE.  Under the agreement, CAE will establish the Alberta Training Centre of Excellence for Aviation and Aerospace, a cutting-edge training facility in Calgary.  Scheduled to open in 2028, the 126,000 square foot facility will house eight full-flight simulators, with capacity for expansion, cabin trainers and state of the art digital learning tools.  As the facility’s primary commercial airline customer, WestJet will be the first to schedule initial and recurrent training for pilots and cabin crew on Boeing 737MAX, 737NG, 787 Dreamliner, and De Havilland Dash 8- (Q400) aircraft.

In Wednesday’s announcement, WestJet’s CEO, Alexis von Hoensbroech, said,

“WestJet's commitment to being the first commercial airline customer at the Alberta Training Centre of Excellence is testament to our investment in our current and future WestJetters and in Calgary as an aviation hub.  This 15-year contract is a significant commitment that will ensure our people receive the highest standard of training for years to come, and we're very pleased to join forces with CAE, a global leader in aviation training and fellow Canadian company, to bring this project to life.”

Also commenting on the new training partnership, CAE’s President and CEO, Matthew Bromberg, said,

“Today marks a proud moment for CAE and for Canadian aviation.  The Alberta Training Centre of Excellence represents what’s possible when industry, academia, and government come together with a shared vision for innovation, safety, and workforce development.  As global demand for aviation professionals accelerates, this centre positions Canada to remain at the forefront of training excellence.  I am grateful to our partners for their trust and collaboration in shaping the future of aviation.”

CEE’s Division President – Commercial Aviation, Michel Azar-Hmouda, added,

“We’re honoured to take our longstanding partnership with WestJet to new heights and thank them for their continued trust and confidence.  The Alberta Training Centre of Excellence marks a major milestone in CAE's growth in Western Canada and underscores our commitment to being where our customers need us most.  This achievement is also a testament to the collaboration and support of our government and industry partners, whose contributions helped bring this vision to life.  We look forward to welcoming pilots and cabin crew to this state-of-the-art facility, proudly supporting these professionals for the moments that matter.”

In partnership with Mount Royal University (MRU), the Alberta Training Centre of Excellence will be the first of its kind in Canada to combine state-of-the-art training equipment with collaborative research and development initiatives.  This marks CAE’s expansion into Western Canada and anchors Calgary as a strategic hub for aviation workforce development.  Construction is scheduled to begin later this year, with training operations to launch upon completion in 2028.  The design, development, and ongoing operation of the Centre will be led by CAE, while Mount Royal University will serve as the primary post-secondary collaborator by contributing academic research expertise, and supporting mentorship and career-integrated student learning opportunities in partnership with CAE and WestJet.

Source: WestJet