Canadian airline WestJet resumed flights with the Boeing 737 MAX this Thursday with flight WS115 between Calgary and Vancouver.
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On board this first flight were 71 guests, including Ed Sims, President and CEO of WestJet, Chris Burley, Chairman of the WestJet Board of Directors and Chris Rauenbusch, President of CUPE Local 4070 and member of the WestJet flight team. The aircraft was flown by Captain David Colquhoun, Chairman of WestJet’s Executive Board, Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and Captain Scott Wilson, WestJet’s Vice President of Operations.
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“The return of WestJet’s MAX aircraft to the fleet marks an operational milestone after 22 months of intense overhaul. WestJet’s readiness, training processes, due diligence and safety-first philosophy drive our confidence in welcoming passengers aboard our MAX aircraft,” said Ed Sims, WestJet’s President and CEO.
Captain David Colquhoun, Chairman of WestJet’s Chief Executive Council of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), said, “For nearly two years, ALPA has been working tirelessly with Transport Canada, international regulators and airline management on the MAX review and revised pilot training requirements necessary to safely return this aircraft to service. No one knows better than airline pilots what it takes to be properly prepared and trained to manage the handling qualities of this refurbished aircraft. Today, as we mark the safe return of the MAX in Canada, ALPA will continue to bring its expertise and safety voice to future discussions.”
“I was proud to operate the MAX aircraft today on its first commercial flight after 22 months. I am confident that with the changes made to the aircraft and our training procedures, our MAX is one of the safest aircraft in the skies,” said Capt. Scott Wilson.
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