WestJet welcomes former JetBlue executive, Captain Jeffrey Martin as Chief Operating Officer

WestJet today announced the appointment of Captain Jeffrey (Jeff) Martin to the position of Chief Operating Officer. Jeff will join WestJet on September 24, 2018, subject to Canadian immigration approval.

"Jeff is a highly accomplished aviation executive and an outstanding addition to our team," said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. "As WestJet continues to transform into a global airline, Jeff's extensive international experience will help ensure our continued success."

Reporting to Ed Sims, Jeff will oversee more than 11,000 WestJetters in WestJet's Flight Operations (including the Operational Control Centre), Guest Experience (Contact Centre and Inflight), Airports, Technical (Maintenance) Operations, Continuous Improvement, and the business strategy and execution of WestJet Encore.

"For years I have admired the WestJet culture and I am thrilled to become part of it," said Jeff Martin. "Joining WestJet at this pivotal point in its transformation to a global network airline is such an exciting opportunity. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a real game changer to WestJet's growth as it makes its mark on the world stage."

Jeff brings more than 28 years of commercial aviation and operational experience to WestJet. He comes from JetBlue, where he most recently served as Executive Vice-President of Operations, responsible for Technical Operations, System Operations, Safety, Security, Flight Operations, Training and Regulatory Compliance for the sixth largest airline in the U.S. Prior to that he spent 22 years at Southwest Airlines, where he began his commercial career as a pilot, and took on various leadership roles, eventually serving as Vice President of the Operations Coordination Centre.

Throughout his career, Jeff has maintained his currency as a pilot and civilian flight instructor and continued to fly. He maintains an Airline Transport Pilot Licence and is captain qualified on the DC-10, Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft. He also served in the United States Air Force flying KC-10s prior to beginning his commercial aviation career.

In addition to his work in the aviation industry, Jeff has been a board member at LaSalle Hotel Properties since October 17, 2016.