WestJet's new strategy will see company invest 'majority' of fleet in Western Canada

A WestJet Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is seen parked at a gate at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Jan. 21, 2021. The WestJet Group has announced a new strategy that will see the Calgary-based airline refocus its routes and fleet on serving Western Canada. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

CALGARY -

The WestJet Group says it plans to refocus its routes and fleet on Western Canada.

The Calgary-based airline says in the wake of a strategic review, it has decided to shift resources to grow its presence in the West.

It says it will add routes to more communities and centre its existing wide-body 787 Dreamliner fleet around Western Canada.

The airline says it will pause future acquisitions of wide-body Dreamliners, which it uses to fly trans-Atlantic routes, focusing instead on additional narrow-body growth instead.

WestJet also says its regional fleet of De Havilland Q400 turboprop aircraft will be 'shifted and right-sized' to focus on Western Canada.

The airline says it will continue to be a national airline with a significant presence in Eastern Canada, but primarily through direct connections to Western cities.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 16, 2022.