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WestJet’s Martin to keynote Careers in Aviation, Calgary


April 18, 2019  By Wings Staff

Beginning his aviation career as a USAF pilot more than 30 years ago, Martin joined WestJet in September 2018 to lead its growing flight operations. (Photo: WestJet)

Jeff Martin, who joined WestJet in September 2018 as chief operating officer, will provide the keynote address at the 2019 Careers in Aviation Expo taking place in Calgary, Alberta, on May 25. Martin holds more than 28 years of experience in the world of commercial aviation, including his work as one of North America’s most prominent airline executives for more than a decade.

Martin will provide his unique aviation insight – as both an accomplished pilot and airline executive – on the challenges and opportunities of developing a career in aviation. He will also focus on the growth of WestJet, which in April 2019 was named as Canada’s Best Airline and also the Best Mid-Size Airline in North America in TripAdvisor’s highly regarded Travelers’ Choice Awards.

Martin will actually deliver his keynote presentation from inside WestJet’s recently opened 125,000-square-foot hangar purposely built to support the company’s new 787 Dreamliners, giving attendees a unique opportunity to witness and understand the possibilities within the Canadian aviation industry.

The one-day Careers in Aviation Expo in Calgary will also provide attendees with a series of educational sessions from industry leaders and access to more than 22 leading companies and organizations exhibiting within the 787 hangar.

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In mid-January, WestJet celebrates delivery of its first of 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, which will see the airline initially open up new routes between Calgary and Dublin, London Gatwick and Paris. (Photo: WestJet)

As COO of WestJet, Martin oversees the progress of more than 11,000 WestJetters, including his responsibilities for the company’s Operational Control Centre, Guest Experience (Contact Centre and Inflight), Airports, Technical (Maintenance) Operations and Continuous Improvement, as well as the business strategy and execution of WestJet Encore.

Prior to joining WestJet, Martin for seven years served as executive vice president of operations at JetBlue Airways, the sixth largest airline in the U.S., where he was responsible for technical operations, system operations, safety, security, flight operations, training and regulatory compliance. Prior to JetBlue, he held various leadership roles at Southwest Airlines, where he started as a pilot and eventually became VP of its Operations Coordination Centre.

Throughout his career, Martin has maintained his currency as a line pilot and civilian flight instructor and continued to fly. He maintains an Airline Transport Pilot Licence and is captain-qualified on the DC-10, Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft. He also served in the United States Air Force flying KC-10s prior to beginning his commercial aviation career.

For more information on Careers in Aviation and to register for the May 25 event, visit careersinaviation.ca. The program will also hold a second expo in 2019 at WestJet’s hangar in Mississauga, Ontario, on September 21, 2019.

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