WestJet Q400 Order Goes Firm

Calgary-based low-fare airline WestJet last month converted a conditional order for 20 Bombardier Q400s to firm status. In the process, it secured options on another 25 of the turboprops, potentially raising the value of the order to $1.59 billion based on list prices.

Expected to launch a new regional airline in the second half of next year, WestJet continues to work on a six-year plan for regional service to and from various points across Canada. Its route network of more than 70 destinations now includes hubs in Calgary and Toronto, as well as so-called focus cities of Edmonton, Winnipeg and Vancouver.