WestJet has announced its largest aircraft purchase to date, securing an agreement with Boeing for 60 737-10 MAX planes and seven 787-9 Dreamliners.
WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership
The deal includes options for an additional 29 aircraft and will be delivered through 2034.
The order increases WestJet’s commitments to 123 aircraft with 40 options, making it the largest order book among Canadian airlines. The airline currently operates 193 aircraft, with an average age of 10 years, including 147 Boeing 737s, seven 787s and 39 De Havilland Q400s.
Boeing sources aerospace parts from Canadian suppliers for all its commercial models, which the manufacturer estimates generates $4 billion annually for Canada’s economy. Federal and provincial leaders highlighted the order as a driver of supply-chain growth, job creation, and Alberta’s positioning as an aviation hub.
Minister of Transport and Internal Trade Chrystia Freeland said the agreement will strengthen cross-border supply chains and create jobs in both Canada and the United States. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called the purchase a boost for Alberta’s aerospace sector, underscoring the province’s role as an aviation hub.
Founded in 1996, WestJet has grown from a fleet of three aircraft to one of Canada’s largest carriers. Following its planned integration with Sunwing in 2025, the airline expects to operate nearly 200 aircraft and serve over 100 destinations worldwide.