WestJet Group has today announced that Diederik Pen has been named as the President of WestJet Airlines. Mr. Pen will continue to serve as the Group’s Chief Operating Officer, reporting to the company’s CEO, Alexis von Hoensbroech
On Tuesday (March 19, 2024), WestJet Group announced the appointment of Diederik Pen as WestJet Airlines’ new President. He will continue to serve in his current position as the Group’s Chief Operating Officer, reporting to the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Alexis von Hoensbroech. As the Group’s CEO, Mr. von Hoensbroech will continue to maintain overall responsibility for the WestJet Group and its strategic direction.
In Tuesday’s announcement, WestJet’s CEO, Alexis von Hoensbroech, said,
“Diederik's experience as a respected leader, with a track record of operational success, will be critical as we continue our growth strategy, including the integration of Sunwing Airlines. With the largest narrow-body aircraft order book in Canada, it is critical we optimize safe and reliable performance for our business, as we deliver more affordable options and better connectivity to Canadians.”
Also commenting on his new additional role as Westjet Airlines’ President, Diederik Pen, said,
“Across the past three years, WestJetters have demonstrated their relentless commitment to the travel needs of Canadians and the performance of our airline. I am incredibly grateful to work alongside such a dedicated, innovative and passionate team. As we lean into the momentum of a financially and operationally strong 2023 and focus on the WestJet Group's future growth, it has never been more important that we continue to work together to increase our reliability and performance.”
Diederik Pen joined WestJet in October 2021 as EVP and Chief Operating Officer, and has been instrumental in enhancing the Group’s operational performance. He led the airline’s post-pandemic recovery, and has been influential across the Group’s airline operations, airports, technical operations, labor relations, safety, crew resources and training. In his new dual role as the Group’s Chief Operating Officer and President of WestJet Airlines, Pen will be responsible for the Group’s day-to-day operations, labor negotiations, and overall operational reliability. Additionally, he will assume the role of the Transport Canada Accountable Executive.
Before joining WestJet, Mr. Pen had accumulated over 25 years of aviation industry experience from the Asia-Pacific and European regions. Having held roles as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for a number of different airlines, he drove significant expansions, while overseeing fast-growing ultra-low-cost businesses.
In 27 years of service, WestJet has cut airfares for Canadians in half and increased the flying population around Canada by over 50 percent. The airline launched in 1996 with three aircraft, 250 employees and five destinations, and has now grown to more than 180 aircraft and 14,000 employees, offering service to over 100 destinations in 26 countries.
Source: WestJet