WestJet names new regional airline with help of happy employees
A Bombardier Q400 NextGen to be used for the new regional airline.
WestJet recently named their new regional airline, Encore, which is going to serve many smaller communities, using smaller Bombardier planes, not the regular Boeing 737s like all of WestJet’s regular fleet. WestJet let their employees, the WestJetters, name the new airline, which also relates to the fact that it was also named one of Canada’s Top 100 employers.
In COMM 101 class, we discussed the efficiency of WestJet’s one-size plane system, with Boeing 737s flying all distances. This new airline and the smaller planes allow WestJet to save some of the costs related to operating large planes for relatively smaller distances. Cutting some of the legroom can significantly increase profit margin in this case. The naming of the new regional airline was also done by the 8600 WestJetters. There are many ways that these employees are motivated, such as onsite amenities, discounted airfare, and in-house apprenticeship programs. Motivated employees improve the company’s organizational culture, providing a good environment for customer service as well. In marketing terms, WestJet’s point of difference is its excellent customer service, seen from their internal motto, “We succeed because we care”. The new regional airline also got communities involved on social media, with many communities pleading for a stop in their region. Considering how WestJet is an airline (the worst when it comes to making profit), it’s doing pretty well in cost management, organizational behaviour, and marketing.
Sources:
http://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/westjet-again-named-one-canadas-131700320.html
http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/WestJet+names+regional+airline+Encore/7377445/story.html
Image:
http://www.bombardier.com/files/en/supporting_docs/image_and_media/products/BA-Q400_NextGen_Westjet1-HR.jpg