Turbulent Skies and Tighter Ties
As the airline sector continues consolidating, strategic alliances like these are tightening the web of global travel. Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, already owns pieces of Grupo Aeromexico, LATAM Airlines Group, Air France-KLM, and China Eastern Airlines. This new stake cements its influence over North American and trans-Pacific routes.
“Investing in a world-class partner like WestJet aligns our interests and ensures that we remain focused on providing a world-class global network and customer experience for travelers in the United States and Canada,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian.
A Homegrown Success Story with Global Reach
WestJet’s transformation from a scrappy regional airline in 1996—launched with just three aircraft and 200 employees—into a global player with over 14,000 employees and 200 aircraft has been meteoric. Following its acquisition of Sunwing, WestJet now serves over 100 destinations.
However, not all skies have been friendly. The airline recently suspended nine U.S. routes amid lower cross-border demand, attributed in part to strained Canada-U.S. relations and trade tensions. Routes from Vancouver to Austin, Orlando, Los Angeles, and Chicago have been delayed or paused through the summer months.
