A timeline of WestJet’s history in Calgary.
1996 – Calgary-based startup airline WestJet takes first flight, as a low-cost alternative to the country’s major airlines. The company has three aircraft, offers five destinations, and has 220 employees.
1999 – WestJet goes public, with an IPO held June 13, 1999. Shares went on sale at $10, and by year end were valued at $18.
2000 – WestJet moves into eastern Canada, adding Ottawa and Moncton as destinations, with Hamilton as its eastern hub.
2002 – WestJet targets the business travel market for the first time, adding Toronto and London, Ontario to its network.
2004 – WestJet adds U.S. destinations to the mix; travellers can now fly to New York City, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Francisco, Phoenix, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa.
2006 – WestJet goes international, adding service to the Bahamas. Also launches WestJet Vacations, offering affordable, reliable and easy booking of vacation packages.
2009 – WestJet opens its new Calgary headquarters, a $100-million building near Calgary International Airport.
2012 – WestJet takes delivery of its 100th Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft.
2012 – WestJet Encore launches. The regional carrier aims to connect under-served smaller cities using a fleet of Bombardier Q400 NextGen turboprop planes.
2013 – WestJet signs letter of intent to purchase 65 new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
2014 – WestJet takes its first trans-Atlantic flight, introducing seasonal non-stop service to Dublin, Ireland.
2015 – WestJet takes delivery of four wide-body Boeing 767 aircraft, laying the groundwork for international expansion. Welcomes 20 million guests this year, a new record.
2016 – WestJet celebrates its 20th anniversary and launches its first wide-body transatlantic flight to London-Gatwick.
2018 – WestJet unveils its new Boeing Dreamliner . It’s a major milestone for the company, which will take possession of 10 787s by 2021, with an option to buy 10 more.
2019 – Private equity firm Onex Corp. signs a friendly deal to buy WestJet in a transaction valued at $5 billion. WestJet’s headquarters will remain in Calgary.
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Copyright Postmedia Network Inc., 2019
