Bombardier delivers first WestJet Q400 NextGen airliner

Bombardier Aerospace and WestJet reported the delivery of the first of 20 Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners ordered by WestJet. The aircraft will be operated by the new regional carrier, WestJet Encore and will serve multiple destinations, beginning in Western Canada in its first year of service. WestJet also holds options for 25 additional Q400 NextGen aircraft. Earlier this year, WestJet announced plans to begin service with Encore on June 24, 2013, opening new routes to Fort St. John and Nanaimo, British Columbia, as well as Brandon, Manitoba, on September 3, 2013. Flights to points in Alberta and Saskatchewan are to be added later this year, along with additional flights to cities already served by WestJet.