Ed Sims joins
WestJet as EVP, Commercial
CALGARY, April 28, 2017 /CNW/ - WestJet today
announced the appointment of Bob
Cummings as Executive Vice-President responsible for
the yet-to-be-named ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) which will launch
late in 2017 or early 2018. Bob will have accountability
for all aspects of this new venture, including planning, branding,
pricing, product development and operationalization. He will also
continue to drive other key strategic initiatives for WestJet. Bob
has been with WestJet since 2005, with almost 11 years at
the EVP level with a variety of responsibilities.
"Bob has been an integral part of the successful transformation
of WestJet," said Gregg Saretsky, WestJet President and CEO.
"We are well positioned to continue our profitable growth
and I look forward to Bob's strategic thinking, leadership and
execution capability coming to bear in launching this exciting
new airline.
"I am eager to bring our ULCC to market on behalf of
Canadians looking for even lower fares," commented Bob Cummings. "I firmly believe that we have the
necessary capabilities to launch another successful and exciting
chapter in WestJet's history. Travellers can expect a very
different approach from this new ULCC, yet one that will
ultimately provide air travel accessibility to many more
Canadians."
WestJet also announced today the appointment of Ed Sims as Executive Vice-President, Commercial,
with responsibility for all aspects of the commercial function
within WestJet including sales, marketing, product, network
planning, revenue management, corporate development, airline
partnerships and WestJet Vacations. Ed will join WestJet on
May 29, 2017.
Ed's career spans more than 30 years in the tourism and aviation
industries, encompassing airlines and tour operators, as well as
air traffic control. He has worked in the European and Australasian
markets, holding senior commercial and general leadership positions
within: Tui, Thomas Cook, Virgin
Groups and Air New Zealand where he headed up the international
wide-body business. His most recent role was as CEO of Airways,
New Zealand's air navigation
service provider.
"Ed brings to WestJet extensive expertise in leadership,
innovation, sales and marketing, operations and change management,
and I am delighted to have someone with his experience and skills
join our leadership team," continued Gregg
Saretsky. "As we expand WestJet's horizons, I look forward
to Ed's global perspective and contributions to our growth
plans."
"WestJet has built a reputation that is globally recognized,"
said Ed Sims. "I have watched the
WestJet success story from afar and now I am honoured to be given
the opportunity to shape the next chapter in WestJet's
history."
About WestJet
We are proud to be Canada's most trusted airline, powered by an
award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the
country's top employers. WestJet, and our regional airline, WestJet
Encore, offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in
North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Through our partnerships with airlines
representing every major region of the world, we offer our guests
more than 150 destinations in more than 21 countries. Leveraging
WestJet's extensive network, flight schedule and remarkable guest
experience, WestJet Vacations delivers affordable, flexible travel
experiences with a variety of accommodation options for every
guest. Members of our WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars
on flights, vacation packages and more. Our members use WestJet
dollars towards the purchase of WestJet flights and vacations
packages on any day, at any time, to any WestJet destination with
no blackout periods ̶ even on seat sales. For more
information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.
Recent recognition includes:
2017 Best
Airline in Canada and Travellers'
Choice Winner Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines – North America (TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice
awards for Airlines)
2016 Canada's Most Trusted Airline
(Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)
2016 Canada's most reputable
company for Corporate Social Responsibility (Reputation
Institute)
2016/2015/2014/2013/2012 Ranked top three for Canadian Brands
(Canadian Business Magazine)
2016/2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in
Canada (MoneySense magazine)
2015/2011/2010/2008/2007/2006/2005 Canada's Most Admired Corporate Culture
(Waterstone Human Capital)
2015 Best Employers in Canada
(Aon Hewitt)
Connect with WestJet on Facebook at
facebook.com/westjet
Follow WestJet on Twitter at
twitter.com/westjet
Subscribe to WestJet on
YouTube at youtube.com/westjet
Read the WestJet
blog at blog.westjet.com
SOURCE WestJet