TAKE A BOW: It’s WestJet Encore

WestJet has announced that its new regional airline will be called WestJet Encore following a vote by WestJetters. The regional airline will launch in the second half of 2013, using Bombardier Q400 aircraft to serve smaller Canadian communities. Bob Cummings, WestJet’s executive vice-president, sales, marketing and guest experience, said that not only will WestJet Encore leverage “the phenomenal strength of the WestJet brand,” it also “reinforces that our WestJetters are ready to repeat the success of WestJet, liberating Canadians in many communities from the high cost of travel.” WestJet said that it will announce a schedule for WestJet Encore — including the first group of communities it will serve — in early 2013.