WestJet Criticizes ’special treatment' in new Air Canada Pension Deal

Westjet criticized the government’s decision this week to extend Air Canada’s pension funding arrangement.

An Air Canada airbus lands at Heathrow Airport in London. The government announced a decision this week to extend the troubled airline's pension funding arrangement. Public Domain

WestJet says it is disappointed with the federal government’s decision to extend Air Canada’s pension funding arrangement, calling it “special treatment” for the country’s largest airline.

“While we recognize this has been a difficult decision for the government, we are disappointed with this announcement,” WestJet president and CEO Gregg Saretsky said Wedneday. 

“We are supportive of a strong and competitive aviation industry in Canada. To that end, we trust this marks the end of special treatment for Air Canada as such treatment at the expense of other industry players has become too common.”