WestJet CEO Resigns, Internal Replacement Named

WestJet president and CEO Sean Durfy yesterday said he would resign from his post, paving the way for executive vice president of operations, and relative WestJet newcomer, Gregg Saretsky on April 1 to assume the number-one position at Canada’s number-two carrier.

"Those things I set out to accomplish at WestJet have now been achieved, and I believe this is an appropriate time to allow others to carry the torch while I spend more time with my young family," said Durfy, who joined WestJet in 2004 heading marketing and sales and later oversaw significant network growth as president in 2006, then as CEO the following year.

WestJet also credited Durfy during his tenure with broadening the carrier's distribution channels and forging new airline partnerships, including a yet-to-be implemented codeshare with Southwest Airlines. WestJet in a statement said Durfy would remain in a transitional role with the carrier until Sept. 1.

Entering the industry at Canadian Airlines in 1985 and more recently serving as executive vice president of flight and marketing at Alaska Airlines, Saretsky last June joined the carrier as vice president of WestJet vacations, and within months became executive vice president of operations—a role WestJet now is seeking to fill.

"As a 25-year airline industry veteran, Gregg has been a valuable member of WestJet's executive team. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the president and CEO role and we are confident his background will provide the leadership and experience required to achieve our strategic plans," WestJet chairman and former CEO Clive Beddoe said in a statement.