news release

WestJet donates 737-200 aircraft to BCIT Aerospace

October 01, 2003

The donation launches WestJet as a partner in training with BCIT Aerospace. Tim Morgan, WestJet’s Senior Vice-President, Operations and Co-Chief Operating Officer, signed over the aircraft to BCIT President Tony Knowles at BCIT’s aerospace campus hangar.

The donation is the first of its kind to an aviation school in Canada. The 737-200 served as a WestJet passenger jet until recently. It was retired from commercial service last week. The aircraft will enhance all aerospace programs at BCIT to better meet the unique needs of the commercial aviation transport industry.

WestJet employs many BCIT aerospace graduates. Said Morgan, “We are very pleased to be donating a Boeing 737-200 aircraft to advance the level of training for BCIT aerospace students. With 19 200’s currently in our 42 aircraft fleet, and many more in service around the world, this aircraft will offer a chance for students to gain a hands-on understanding of technology that is still in use across the industry. WestJet is proud to be a partner in training with BCIT Aerospace, and we are pleased to be a part of BCIT Aerospace’s tradition of offering high-calibre training.”

Said BCIT President Tony Knowles, “This new partnership in polytechnic training, beginning with a significant donation that will help us build upon our core strengths of maintenance repair and overhaul, is ultimately about innovation, achieving new standards of excellence and investing in the people who will shape the aerospace industry for years to come. We thank WestJet for its generous support of BCIT Aerospace.”

In June of this year, Premier Gordon Campbell announced a comprehensive provincial aerospace strategy at BCIT’s aerospace campus in Richmond. The aerospace industry, in this case an Alberta-based leader in Canadian aviation, has recognized the benefit of working with a leading training partner in B.C.

“The partnership between BCIT and WestJet is an example of the success of the premier’s recently announced aerospace strategy. WestJet’s contribution will ensure that BCIT remains a leading edge aerospace training facility,” said Minister of State-Intergovernmental Relations, Richmond Centre MLA Greg Halsey-Brandt.

The provincial aerospace strategy includes a $20-million investment to fund infrastructure, so that institutions can deliver more than 500 new student spaces in aerospace and related programming throughout British Columbia by 2005-06. Labour-force analysis by industry demonstrates a growing demand for skilled workers, particularly in the maintenance and manufacturing sub-sectors. In 2001, these sub-sectors employed about 4,500 skilled workers, and the industry predicts it will need 10,000 of these workers by 2011. Despite some fluctuations, the aerospace industry in B.C. has experienced steady overall growth over the past decade.

Founded in 1996 by Clive Beddoe, Mark Hill, Tim Morgan and Donald Bell, WestJet is the most successful low-fare carrier in Canadian history. WestJet currently employs over 3700 people, and serves 24 Canadian destinations coast to coast with its expanding fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft.

BCIT Aerospace offers one of the largest selections of aviation training aircraft in North America. All aerospace programs are regulated and accredited by Transport Canada and the Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council to ensure they meet and exceed national and international standards.

BCIT Aerospace students, for example those training to become aircraft maintenance engineers, aircraft mechanical component technicians and aircraft structures manufacturing technicians, will benefit directly by the 737-200 donation. Students will work with the technology of an aircraft type that remains relevant and in use throughout the world.

Media can contact:

Kelly Angelo, BCIT Media Relations (604) 432-8773

Siobhan Vinish (pronounced Sha-von), WestJet Director, Public Relations and Communications (403) 444 2615