Westjet changes delivery schedule, and adds to order

[Four1oh]

WestJet announces significant fleet-plan enhancements

CALGARY, Aug. 24, 2009 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX News Network) --
Airline's revised delivery schedule will provide greater flexibility

WestJet today announced enhancements to its fleet plan, which include the rescheduled delivery of 16 aircraft and the purchase of an additional 14 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. These changes provide for a smoother aircraft delivery schedule and a more flexible fleet plan. The revised delivery schedule is as follows:


<<
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Revised delivery Lease expiries/ Total fleet size
schedule potential renewals at year-end
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Remainder 2009 5 - 86
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2010 5 - 91
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2011 7 - 98
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2012 7 - 105
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2013 6 3 108 to 111
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2014 6 - 114 to 117
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2015 10 12 112 to 127
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2016 8 8 112 to 135
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Total 54 23 112 to 135
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>>

"Thanks to our strong partnerships with Boeing and Aviation Capital Group (ACG), we were able to revise our aircraft delivery schedule to better match our strategic plans," said WestJet President and CEO Sean Durfy. "Our previously published schedule saw us growing to a fleet size of 121 aircraft by 2013. The combination of deferred delivery dates on our existing orders, 14 new orders and 23 leases expiring between 2013 and 2016 - each with the option to renew - gives us the flexibility to end 2016 with a fleet size between 112 and 135 aircraft."

WestJet's revised fleet plan aligns with the current and planned launch of interline and code-share partnerships, the continued rapid growth of its WestJet Vacations business and the airline's plans to grow its share of the business-traveller market. WestJet assessed aircraft buying opportunities in the current market and placed the order for the 14 additional aircraft from Boeing, to be delivered in 2015 and 2016, to help offset lease expiries and provide greater fleet flexibility. With this revised fleet plan, WestJet's capacity growth is expected to be between five and 10 per cent in 2010.

"Our strong WestJet brand and loyal guests provide us with the confidence to keep expanding our network. We believe we will continue to increase our market share profitably. It is clear that additional aircraft are needed to meet our strategic growth plans, and we feel comfortable in the capacity and balance-sheet flexibility this improved fleet plan provides," continued Sean Durfy. "Orders for new aircraft get placed years in advance of delivery dates and, as we have seen, the economic conditions can change rapidly. Shifting the new aircraft delivery dates allows us to spread our growth out more evenly between 2010 and 2016. It also helps to even out our pre-delivery payment schedule for aircraft deposits and gives us the time and flexibility to make decisions around our financing options for these aircraft. Our goal is to provide WestJet with maximum flexibility and our guests with one of the most modern fleet of aircraft in the world."
http://financialpost1.stockgroup.com/pf ... romalert=1

[skyhigh]

Bye Bye Upgrade

[Spit-IX]

I like how they call it "enhancements" to make the public think it is a good thing. Reducing from 121 to 108 by 2013 is a pretty big hit to the grand plan.

Unfortunately the term "career F/O" seems to be more realistic at Westjet now.

[North Shore]

Sorry to be harsh, but you guys have probably been in the game long enough to know that a plane is 'real' once it is on the ramp and you are inside with bums in seats and the engines turning. Base your career plans on what is, not what could be...

[DaveP]

I agree with North,

There are a lot of variables to consider here too.

There are things like an increase of a/c utilization for example and retirements. My numbers for retirements only go up from here on.

An example of utilization was when we went from 12.1 hrs per day per a/c to 12.3 that made us hire roughly 30 more pilots.(we are lower than 12.3 now) Things change.

Growth, good skeds and good pay along with having a viable company are a great mix.

Dave.

[North Shore]

Thanks, Dave! Now if I could only get you to agree to hire me!

[skyhigh]

Hey Dave, how many crews do we hire per A/C?

[Maxpwr]

Is the October ground school still going as planned?

[Legacy]

Bye Bye Upgrade

Maybe but the more important thing.........Hello to a job that is still here 20 years from now because we made good decisions.

[sanjet]

Remember guys, just as they change plans in bad times, they will in good times too. At least they're proactive, good on them. I wouldn't look at 2013's fleet number as an accurate state of the industry. From what i've experienced in my career, things change waaay to quick in the airlines.

[flystraightin]

Hey Dave, how many crews do we hire per A/C?

I've been told 6. Not sure if that was 6 crews or 6 pilots (3 crews).

[5dayer]

well put legacy.Its better to be an FO at a great company than a captain at a lousy one.Its better to be an FO than out of a job.

[Legacy]

Hey Dave, how many crews do we hire per A/C?

I've been told 6. Not sure if that was 6 crews or 6 pilots (3 crews).

Not exactly sure on that question but right now we are approximately 11-12 pilots per plane I believe.

[Ryan Coke2]

We don't staff on a 'crews per airplane' basis. We staff based on block hours to be flown.

As Dave mentioned, as utilization changes then the 'crew per airframe' number will fluctuate.

We currently have 915 pilots total, and what, 77 planes (not sure)? That gives a little less than 12 pilots per machine right now.

[KAG]

If you consider your make as much if not more then a Jazz CPT in 2 years, get a great sched from day 1, and work for a stable company with southern overnights - career FO doesn't sound too bad. Not that I think anyone hired now would be anyway, just for argument sake.


It's not perfect, but it's pretty damn good.

[Spit-IX]

It's not about the money it's about being in the left seat and getting the most out of why you decided to become a professional pilot. Being in the right seat for years upon years or for the rest of your career would just grate on you after a while and make you start to second guess your career path. From my experience, some of these pilots end up being very negative and generally unpleasant to fly with. On the other hand some are very happy that they don't have to take on the responsibility that goes with the left seat and don't even seem interested in being a Captain.

[CAL]

I get the impression that WJ does not hire career FO's?? am I wrong about this?

[Donald]

I get the impression that WJ does not hire career FO's?? am I wrong about this?

Doesn't really matter what the intent of their hiring is. Look at the projected retirements vs how may guys are ahead of you vs new aircraft acquisitions. If they slow and/or stop deliveries, then the upgrades could stop for a long time.

Isn't Westjet a bit of a ponzi scheme anyway? As long as the guys at the top make big profit share, all is well?

[ivanhoe]

Isn't Westjet a bit of a ponzi scheme anyway? As long as the guys at the top make big profit share, all is well?[/quote]




Uh oh...the secret's out. We're all mini Madoff's...

[Rockie]

A company growing equates to rapid upgrade to the left seat and rapidly increasing seniority in the left seat, and everybody is happy. It's the same in any company including Air Canada. What Air Canada has that Westjet doesn't is a list of pilots that's been turning over for 70 odd years, and has regular retirements even when the company isn't growing. Stagnation isn't something that Westjet pilots have had to deal with yet, and I suspect it will be a harsh return to reality in this business when it does.

And it will happen.

[tonysoprano]

Well said Rocky. And just wait till age 65 retirement kicks in. That left seat will become a rare thing for sure. But like someone already mentioned, as long as you're happy with what you have, great, if not, get use to it. Or leave. But having said all that, it's a funny industry. Things can improve very quickly.

[KAG]

Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to that upgrade (been here just over 2 years, half way up the FO list) it's just that not having that 4th stripe isn't keeping me awake at night.

[tonysoprano]

KAG.
Good point. Career expectations have and WILL change. Quality of life is now the priority. One extra bar is only the icing on the cake, that's all. Sure looks good in the mirror though.

[KAG]

and on the T4

[goaroundthrust]

Thanks, Dave! Now if I could only get you to agree to hire me!

did not know you still trying to get on , tired of firebombing?