Greg Keenan’s article “WestJet to test its luck in Ireland” describes the Canadian-based airline’s plans to test the skies of Ireland. With seasonal, non-stop and direct flights, the airline will be getting a better picture of the European market before attempting a full-force entry. As we have learned in September, WestJet cuts costs by implementing a single fleet of Boeing 737-700; there are less costs for things like training and maintenance of potentially different planes. However, to break into the European market and compete with other airlines like Air Canada means that WestJet has to adopt bigger and wider plans to satisfy demand.
In the meantime, people say that the airline is focusing on regional expansion and the prospect of 76-seat Q400 turboprop airplanes. At this point, industry analyst Walter Spracklin wrote “WestJet is essentially establishing a European beachhead and working on increasing brand recognition, we don’t see WestJet bringing on a new wide-body aircraft type into its fleet with the next three to five years” (para.13). With its iconic usage of a single fleet of airplanes, Westjet is in the right for trying to show its point-of-difference to consumers; of course, it is always ideal to truly see if it is fit to fly in European skies.