WestJet to become official airline partner of the Calgary Stampeders

Airline to charter team for all away games with branding and gameday promotions to run at McMahon Stadium

CALGARY, May 9, 2019 /CNW/ - WestJet and the Calgary Stampeders today set into a motion a proposed three-year partnership between the two Calgary-based companies.

As part of the proposed agreement, WestJet will become the official airline partner for the Stampeders and will charter the defending 2018 Grey Cup Champions to all away games through the 2021 season across Canada.

"The Calgary Stampeders have a deep history within our local community and as Calgary's hometown airline we're extremely proud to kick-off our partnership with this championship organization," said Richard Bartrem, WestJet Vice-President Marketing Communications. "As new teammates, we look forward to supporting the Stampeders in their title defense and sharing in each other's successes in the air and on the playing field across Canada for the next three seasons."

"The Calgary Stampeder Football Club is very excited about this partnership between two proud Calgary institutions and we're very much looking forward to teaming up with WestJet for the next three years," said Stampeders Senior Director of Business Operations Mike Franco. "It's an ideal union and we're extremely pleased that a major international brand with strong local roots is meeting our team travel needs."

The three-year deal is expected to include a WestJet branded on-field logo at McMahon Stadium and advertising, along with in-game promotional opportunities and co-branded content features of the team throughout the season.

The Calgary Stampeders are set to open the 2019 season on Saturday, June 15 at McMahon Stadium against Ottawa in a Grey Cup rematch. Fans hoping to catch pre-season action are encouraged to attend the team's only pre-season contest on Friday, May 31 against Saskatchewan in Calgary.

WestJet is Calgary's largest airline, and by June 2019, will offer flights to 68 non-stop destinations with over 1,000 flights per week from YYC. More Calgarians choose WestJet for their air travel than any other airline.

Caution regarding forward-looking information
Certain information set forth in this news release, including, without limitation, information regarding our proposed three-year partnership with the Calgary Stampeders, is forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. By its nature, forward-looking information is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond WestJet's control. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on WestJet's current strategy but may vary due to factors and risks described in WestJet's public reports and filings which are available under WestJet's profile at sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information as actual results may vary materially from the forward-looking information. WestJet does not undertake to update, correct or revise any forward-looking information as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

About the Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeder Football Club was founded in 1945. The team has finished first 21 times, has made 17 Grey Cup appearances and has won the championship on eight occasions. The Stampeders are proud members of the Calgary and Southern Alberta communities and are actively involved in a number of causes, with amateur football and health and wellness programs being particular areas of focus.

About WestJet
Together with WestJet's regional airline, WestJet Encore, we offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in over 20 countries through our airline partnerships. WestJet Vacations offers affordable, flexible vacations to more than 60 destinations and the choice of more than 800 hotels, resorts, condos and villas.  Members of the WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of flights and vacations packages to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods, and have access to Member Exclusive fares offering deals to WestJet destinations throughout our network and those of our partner airlines.

WestJet is proud to be recognized for three consecutive years as Best Airline in Canada (2017-19) and awarded among travellers' favourite Mid-Sized Airlines in North America (2019). From 2017-2018, WestJet was also awarded among travellers' favorite Mid-Sized and Low-Cost Airlines in North America. The airline was also recognized among the Economy Class winners in North America, 2018. All awards are based on authentic reviews from the travelling public on TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site. We are one of very few airlines globally that does not commercially overbook.

WestJet is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol WJA. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.

Recent recognition includes:
2019/2018/2017 Best Airline in Canada (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2019 Winner Among Mid-Sized Airlines in North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018/2017 Winner Among Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines – North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018 Winner – Economy, North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018 Number-One-Ranked Airline Credit Card in Canada (Rewards Canada)
2018 North America's Best Low-Cost Airline (Skytrax)
2018/2017/2016 Canada's Most Trusted Airline (Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)

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SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership