Airline’s new CEO lauds YLW

As one of the original five cities served by WestJet, Kelowna is a key part of the company, WestJet Encore president Charles Duncan said Friday afternoon at the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

“We have deep roots in Kelowna,” said Duncan.

Duncan started as the new head of WestJet Encore in early June this year.

The first city he visited after starting his new position was Kelowna, he said.

“I’ve really been impressed with how beautiful this place is,” he said. “I’m visiting about one city a week to learn about Canada and to learn about our markets.”

Kelowna International Airport is among the top performers when it comes to getting the first WestJet flight of the day out on time, said Duncan.

“We like to have competitions between the airports on who gets the greatest number of those headstart flights out on time,” he said. “My first month here, in the month of June, Kelowna was the only airport in Canada to have 100 per cent of headstart flights to leave on time.”

WestJet plans to continue working with local businesses and organizations, including partnering with Okanagan College on collaborations for pilot training, said Duncan.

“We really want to be part of this community,” he said.

“We care so much about giving back to the communities.”