On May 27, the Calgary Chamber welcomed Alexis von Hoensbroech, CEO of WestJet, for an address and fireside chat with Chamber President & CEO, Deborah Yedlin. The conversation touched on the role of aviation in Canada’s economy, WestJet’s growth strategy and the regulatory and operational challenges currently facing the airline sector.
Von Hoensbroech opened by underscoring how Canada’s geography and population density make air travel essential rather than optional, especially in remote and rural communities. He emphasized the importance of strong aviation networks for economic development, tourism and social connection across the country.
He spoke to WestJet’s evolution since its founding in Calgary in 1996, and how its expansion has helped position the city as a global hub. Since its early days with just three aircraft and a few hundred employees, the airline has grown to nearly 200 aircraft and 15,000 employees. He noted that Calgary’s airport now offers three times as many destinations as it did in the 1990s and that international additions—such as direct service to Tokyo and Seoul—have helped double tourism from those regions, creating a positive ripple effect across Alberta’s economy.
The conversation also covered WestJet’s broader investment in the province. Von Hoensbroech pointed to a $3 billion maintenance contract to support a new engine shop in Calgary, in partnership with a global provider, which will create hundreds of skilled jobs and attract further aerospace investment. He noted WestJet’s work with Alberta post-secondary institutions to train pilots and aviation workers, contributing to the development of a more robust aviation ecosystem.
Looking at external factors, von Hoensbroech noted the impact of political tensions on Canadian travel behavior. He said WestJet had seen a decline in demand to U.S. destinations following political rhetoric, prompting the airline to shift capacity to other markets, including the Caribbean and Mexico. He also cited challenges posed by a weakening Canadian dollar and the potential for tariffs on aircraft imports as growing concerns.
A significant portion of the discussion focused on the cost of air travel in Canada. Von Hoensbroech pointed to government-imposed fees and taxes that can add more than $130 to a round-trip ticket, limiting affordability and access. He noted that air fares have declined in real terms over the past three decades, while fees and taxes have risen by two-thirds. He also raised concerns about the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), saying that while well-intentioned, they function more as a mandatory insurance policy that increases ticket prices and disincentivizes service to smaller regional destinations.
In proposing solutions, von Hoensbroech suggested five key priorities for policymakers: recognizing aviation as essential infrastructure, reducing airport rent and passenger fees, learning from more cost-effective international models, developing a strategy for sustainable aviation fuel production and giving passengers the option to opt out of mandatory APPR compensation in exchange for lower fares. He emphasized that reforming these policies would not only reduce costs but also increase connectivity, especially in underserved areas.
The fireside chat concluded with a look toward the future. Von Hoensbroech said WestJet will continue modernizing its fleet, integrating aircraft from Sunwing and Swoop, and expanding its vacation and international offerings. Despite the industry’s volatility, he expressed optimism about WestJet’s continued growth and its commitment to serving communities across Western Canada and beyond.
Special thanks to our event sponsor WestJet, introducing sponsor Calgary Airport Authority, and thanking sponsor De Havilland Aircraft of Canada for making this event possible.
