Mr. Gregg Saretsky reports

WESTJET RECEIVES FLIGHT ATTENDANT EXEMPTION; 1:50 RULING PUTS WESTJET ON EQUAL FOOTING WITH U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES

WestJet Airlines Ltd. has received an exemption from Transport Canada to the requirement for one flight attendant for every 40 passengers on board. The exemption, which is effective immediately, allows for one flight attendant for every 50 seats on board the aircraft.

"We are pleased that Transport Canada has granted this exemption," said Gregg Saretsky, WestJet president and chief executive officer. "One flight attendant for every 50 seats is the accepted international practice and has been in place for decades around the world. "This exemption will place us on a level regulatory playing field with U.S. and international carriers who fly in and out of Canada every day under these rules. Safety is a core value at WestJet and we commend the government for recognizing that there is a consistent level of safety operating under this ratio."

"WestJet has committed that it will not lay off any flight attendants under this new exemption," commented Antonio Faiola, WestJet flight attendant and chair of PACT, WestJet's employee association. "Our history speaks for itself: WestJet has always worked with its employees when our business changes and this is another example of its commitment to its people."

"We anticipate cost savings once this exemption has been operationalized across our network," continued Mr. Saretsky. "These savings will allow us to grow our network and continue to provide low fares for the Canadian traveller. We will now work with our operations teams to determine when we can implement these changes which will in turn determine when these savings will be realized."

We seek Safe Harbor.