Onboard the first flights were 71 guests including WestJet’s President and CEO, Ed Sims, the company’s Board Chair, Chris Burley and Chris Rauenbusch, President – CUPE Local 4070 and a member of WestJet’s Inflight team.
Today (January 21, 2021), WestJet relaunched Boeing 737 MAX passenger service with the departure of the first flight (WS115) departing Calgary for Vancouver and the return flight (WS122) from Vancouver to Calgary departing at 12:00 PT. The flight carried 71 guests including WestJet’s President and CEO, Ed Sims, the company’s Board Chair, Chris Burley and Chris Rauenbusch, President – CUPE Local 4070 and a member of WestJet’s Inflight team. The MAX was piloted by Captain David Colquhoun, WestJet Master Executive Council Chair – Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and Captain Scott Wilson, Vice President WestJet Operations. In Thursday’s announcement, WestJet’s President and CEO, Ed Sims, said,
“The return of WestJet's MAX aircraft to the fleet marks an operational milestone after 22 months of intense review. WestJet's preparation, training processes, due diligence and safety above all philosophy drives our confidence in welcoming guests on board our MAX aircraft.”
Also commenting on today’s milestone flights, Captain Colquhoun added,
“For nearly two years, ALPA has been working tirelessly with Transport Canada, international regulators, and airline management on reviewing the MAX and the revised pilot training requirements needed to safely return this aircraft to service. No one knows better than airline pilots what is needed to be adequately prepared and trained to manage the handling qualities of this renewed aircraft. Today, as we usher the safe return of the MAX in Canada, ALPA will continue to provide its expertise and voice of safety in future discussions.”
Captain Scott Wilson, Vice President WestJet Operations, further commented,
“I was proud to operate the MAX aircraft today on its first commercial flight since the Canadian skies reopened. I am confident with the changes made to the aircraft and our training procedures, our MAX is one of the safest aircraft in the skies.”
The video below, courtesy of WestJet shows the arrival and taxi of today’s milestone Boeing 737 MAX return to service with the Canadian carrier.
Prior to the Global COVID-19 pandemic, WestJet and subsidiary regional airlines, WestJet Encore and WestJet Link, offered scheduled service to over 110 destinations across North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. WestJet and WestJet Encore continue to connect all 38 of the carrier’s Canadian domestic airports with reduced capacity, ensuring essential cargo and passenger connectivity. During these unprecedented times, the carrier has maintained their rating by Cirium as one of the top ten airlines for on-time performance in North America.
Source: WestJet