Calgary (Alberta) and Montreal (Quebec), June 2, 2005
WestJet (TSX: WJA) and Transat A.T. Inc. (TSX: TRZ.B; TRZ.RV.A) have reached a 30-month agreement that will allow leading tour operators Transat Holidays and World of Vacations to charter WestJet’s Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft from Canadian gateways to designated international charter destinations. The agreement builds on the success of a two-year agreement implemented in 2003.
For the duration of the agreement, Transat’s tour operators will utilize WestJet aircraft from over 15 Canadian gateways to more than 25 international sun destinations. The contract, which is in effect from May 1, 2005 through October 31, 2007, is worth in excess of $80 million for the first winter season. A winter season runs from mid-December to the end of April.
"This agreement is truly a win-win situation for Transat and WestJet, as well as for Canadian travellers. WestJet's narrow-bodied aircraft complement Air Transat's wide-bodied fleet, allowing us to further broaden our product offering. Since its inception, this relationship with WestJet has allowed us to serve more gateways out of Canada to more sun destinations, using the appropriate capacity," said Lina De Cesare, President, Tour Operators, Transat.
Sean Durfy, WestJet’s Executive Vice-President, Marketing and Sales, said today: "We are extremely pleased to have extended our partnership with Transat through October 2007. This partnership has been very beneficial to both companies, and we look forward to continuing to join forces with Transat to bring excellent service and schedules to travellers across Canada."
Transat A.T. Inc., with its head office in Montréal, is an integrated company specializing in the organization, marketing, and distribution of holiday travel. The core of its business consists of tour operators in Canada and France. Transat is also involved in air transportation, value-added services at travel destinations, as well as in distribution through travel agency networks.
WestJet is Canada’s leading low-cost airline offering scheduled service throughout its 31-city North American network. Named Canada’s most respected corporation for customer service in 2005, WestJet pioneered low-cost high-value flying in Canada. With increased legroom and leather seats on its modern fleet of Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft, and live seatback television on its 737 700 fleet, WestJet strives to be the number one choice for travellers. For more information, please visit www.westjet.com.
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