Canadian, Calgary-based airline Westjet (WS) will say goodbye to seven 737 next-generation aircraft as they are sold for parts to Atlanta-based Aventure Aviation. The seven aircraft in question hold serial numbers 34284, 34285, 34286, 34287, 34288, 35111, and 35112.
With Westjet pivoting its strategy to focus mainly on operations from its base in Calgary, and other west coast ports, the airline is in the middle of a fleet renewal, which has seen Boeing 787s join the fleet alongside Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
Aventure Aviation
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Aventure Aviation specializes in the ‘tear down’ of various aircraft, selling parts to various other airlines and organizations. Providing component solutions to multiple aircraft operators.
The solutions provided range from public to corporate and government, including armed forces. In addition to picking for parts, Aventure Aviation assists in the end-of-life and retirement of aircraft.
Given the order of seven of Westjet’s fleet, it is visible that Aventure Aviation will utilize the aircraft for a range of parts for their customer list. With aircraft shortages and delivery delays, Kevin Lang, Aventure’s Director of strategic accounts, noted:
“This major acquisition will provide a significant inventory increase for our global customer base.”
Westjet’s move to MAX aircraft
Westjet already has 23 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft in its fleet, with more on order. With 32 MAX 7 and 54 MAX 10 on order, in a move to improve reliability, optimize operations and reduce CO2 emissions. The new MAX aircraft are expected to reduce CO2 emissions by millions of pounds each year compared to the older generation aircraft.
Westjet’s move West
With Westjet’s recent pivot to focus on its home in Western Canada, the airline has recently introduced multiple routes across the border. WestJet recently revealed nine new US routes from Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, and Vancouver, all taking off in May and June. Two of the nine have never been served – at least not in the 33 years since 1990. Five other routes had had non-stops before, two of which were by WestJet but are currently unserved.
- Vancouver to Atlanta, beginning May 17th
- Calgary to Austin, beginning May 18th
- Calgary to Chicago O’Hare, beginning May 18th
- Edmonton to Seattle, beginning May 19th
- Vancouver to Nashville, beginning May 19th
- Calgary to Detroit, beginning May 26th
- Calgary to Washington Dulles, beginning June 2nd
- Edmonton to Minneapolis, beginning June 2nd
- Saskatoon to Minneapolis, beginning June 19th
Five routes are headed to four partner Delta hubs: Atlanta, Seattle, Detroit, and Minneapolis. The Canadian carrier, WestJet, will benefit from connectivity through its partnership with Delta.
Delta has previously serviced four routes: Vancouver-Atlanta, Edmonton-Seattle, Edmonton-Minneapolis, and Saskatoon-Minneapolis.
Taking off for Tokyo and Rome
Adding to the airline’s expanding route map from the west, Westjet will take off for year-round operations to Tokyo Narita on April 30th and Paris Charles de Gaulle on April 13th, with seasonal flights to Barcelona from May 6 and Edinburgh on May 17, among others.
Source: Aviation Source News, Boeing