the beat goes onIt was announced in June, 2023 that WestJet’s subsidiaries Swoop and Sunwing would be subsumed into the WestJet brand. Since WestJet’s intention is to outfit their entire fleet with AFIRS SatCOM, this just ups the count.
As of October 27, 2023, Swoop’s fleet consisted of 10 - 737-800’s and 6 - 737 Max 8’s.
In October, the 6 Swoop Max 8’s began showing as WestJet at planespotters.net.
Also in October, 5 Swoop 737-800’s began showing as WestJet.
In November, 4 more Swoop 737-800’s began showing as WestJet.
In December, presumably the final Swoop 737-800 has begun showing as WestJet.
All of this could mean revenue to FLYHT in Q4 if WestJet has installed AFIRS as anticipated.
June, 2020. " FLYHT Awarded SatCom Contract from WestJet." "WestJet will use AFIRS on its entire Boeing 737 fleet."
Sunwing’s independent operation will be wound down over the next two years. Sunwing operates 13 737-800’s and 9 737 Max 8’s. Sunwing’s fleet can be expected to be converted to WestJet aircraft in due course.
Also in November, WestJet took delivery of 1 new Max 8.
In June, 2022, FLYHT announced a partnership with Swoop to “reduce emissions by eliminating non-essential Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) usage”. At the time, this would have initially been for just Swoop’s fleet of 16 aircraft. No announcement as yet if this SaaS opportunity will bleed into the entire WestJet fleet. The agreement was also expected to include the Edge.
Whether or not WestJet will be taking the Edge for other purposes when it becomes available is not clear at this time, but I think it very likely.
All told, this would be for WestJet’s fleet count in October of 133, plus 105 on order, plus 16 for Swoop conversions and 22 for Sunwing conversions. All told, 276 aircraft.
Air Canada reportedly had 345 aircraft at the end of 2022.
https://www.planespotters.net/airline/WestJet (Sort by "delivered", most recent first.)