Canada's WestJet to partner with Delta, grow fleet by 2020

Canada’s WestJet Wednesday announced a joint venture with Delta to boost trans-border flights and said it expects to nearly double the number of aircraft owned by the carrier by 2020 as it target both cost-conscious passengers and higher-paying customers. Canada’s second-largest carrier is evolving from a single brand into “a model of multiple airlines,” offering higher-end service while also launching an ultra-low-cost carrier in 2018 to target customers on a budget, CE Gregg Saretsky said. “We just got to the point where the single brand can no longer fulfill all the missions we’re seeking to fulfill,” he said. WestJet also said it had struck a preliminary agreement with Delta to coordinate schedules for new non-stop flights in the US and Canada, along with frequent flyer points. WestJet said the agreement is expected to be signed in the first half of 2018 and will likely take effect in 2019 after Delta and WestJet receive all required regulatory approvals.<br/>