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WestJet Group names Diederik Pen as airline President

The WestJet Group appointed Diederik Pen as President of WestJet Airlines effective April 1, 2024. As WestJet Group Chief Operating Officer and President of WestJet Airlines, Pen will continue to report to Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet’s Chief Executive Officer.

“With the largest narrow-body aircraft order book in Canada, it is critical we optimize safe and reliable performance for our business, as we deliver more affordable options and better connectivity to Canadians,” said von Hoensbroech, who also noted the integration of Sunwing Airlines, which WestJet acquired in May 2023. The Calgary based airline also merged its low-cost airline, Swoop, with its main business in late 2023.

Since joining the company in October of 2021, as Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, WestJet explains Pen has been instrumental in enhancing the performance of airline operations, inflight, airports, technical operations, labour relations, safety, crew resources and training. As WestJet Group Chief Operating Officer and President of WestJet Airlines, Pen will be responsible for the Group’s day-to-day operations, labour negotiations and overall operational reliability. He will also assume the role of the Transport Canada Accountable Executive.

“I am incredibly grateful to work alongside such a dedicated, innovative and passionate team,” said Pen. “As we lean into the momentum of a financially and operationally strong 2023 and focus on the WestJet Group’s future growth, it has never been more important that we continue to work together to increase our reliability and performance.”

Prior to joining WestJet, Pen brought with him more than 25 years of aviation-industry experience from the Asia-Pacific and European regions, serving as an Executive Vice-President and Chief Operations Officer for multiple airlines.