New WestJet boss says expansion on horizon

The incoming head of WestJet says one of his priorities will be to join forces with other airlines to offer flights to Asia, Europe and South America.

WestJet's new computer reservation system launched last fall with some early glitches will open the door to partnerships with other carriers that will enable the airline to launch transcontinental services, said Gregg Saretsky.

Saretsky, whois currently the airline's operations vice-president,will replace Sean Durfy as president and CEO of WestJetstarting April 1.

"Certainly, our goal is to see co-shared [routes with] partners that are serving Asia and South America and Europe [who] will bring traffic to the Canadian shores that WestJet will then pick up," Saretsky said.

Durfy made a surprise announcement Monday that he's resigning as head of the airline for personal reasons.

"It's not an April Fool's joke," he said. "I have no plans. I'm just going to enjoy my family."

Durfy said having Saretsky eventually take over was the intention ever since he was hired last June to run WestJet's vacations subsidiary.

Prior to WestJet, Saretsky worked with Alaska Airlines and before that with the now defunct Canadian Airlines.

"It's time now to hand over the torch to a guy who's going to take it to the next level," Durfy said. "When we brought on Gregg, we brought him on for that reason."

Shares in WestJet closed at $13.31 Tuesday afternoon, down about four per cent or 56 cents from the previous day. But the outgoing president and CEO said there is no reason to worry.

"Stock markets are an emotive thing," Durfy said. "They don't like change. I'm handing over the reins to a 25-year vet. As soon as the market really understands that, they will be very confident with Gregg and his leadership."

Durfy will stay with the company until Sept. 1.

Airline analyst Rick Erickson predicted Saretsky would succeed because Durfy has positioned the company well for the economic recovery.

"Many North American airlines have either parked their aircraft or furloughed employees," he said. "We didn't see any of that at WestJet. I don't believe anybody at WestJet was asked to leave their job because there wasn't enough business for them."