CALGARY — WestJet Airlines is moving forward with plans to fly its own wide-body aircraft as early as fall 2015.

The ******* has received the support of the WestJet Pilot Association and its Board of Directors, and is currently in the advanced stages of sourcing wide-body aircraft.

“This is the natural, next-step evolution for WestJet,” said WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky. “It’s made possible by our low-cost business model, growing network strength, ******* partnerships and our award-winning brand driven by the efforts of our more than 10,000 WestJetters from coast to coast.”

Initially, WestJet expects to operate four wide-body aircraft with the first deployments on routes between Alberta and Hawaii during the winter season beginning in late 2015. The *******’s current winter service between Alberta and Hawaii, via two Boeing 757-200s operated by Thomas Cook, is ending in the spring of 2015.

Further announcements regarding WestJet’s wide-body schedule for the 2016 summer season will be released at a later date, as the ******* looks to expand its operation into overseas markets.