CALGARY — WestJet Group’s EVP and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Diederik Pen, who also serves as President of WestJet Airlines, will step down from his roles in the coming months. A search for a successor is underway.
WestJet announced Pen’s retirement today, with timing dependent on onboarding his successor. It’s anticipated Pen will finish with WestJet in the first quarter of 2027, “at the latest,” says the company.
Until then, Pen will stay fully in charge of overseeing the airline and leading operations teams.
WestJet says Pen’s planned retirement has kicked off a global search for his successor, with Pen actively involved in the search process and supporting a seamless transition.
“I respect Diederik’s decision to retire for personal reasons; WestJetters, including myself, will miss his abundance of care, energy and leadership. As a highly respected and trusted member of our executive team, I am appreciative of Diederik’s contributions to date and have full trust in his unwavering dedication to his role through the remainder of his tenure,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet Group CEO.
“Among his many accomplishments over the past five years, Diederik has been central in safety and delivering operational improvements that have allowed us to scale our network and improve our reliability. I look forward to continuing to work together until his retirement,” said von Hoensbroech.
Pen joined WestJet in late 2021, leading operations through a period of recovery and supporting the safe restart and scaling of the airline as post-COVID demand returned. He also negotiated several high-impact contracts with WestJet’s labour partners, and has led major operational transitions and transformation, including the successful integration of Swoop and Sunwing Airlines.
“My time at WestJet has been among the most fulfilling of my career,” said Pen. “Nearing three decades of aviation experience, I have had the good fortune of working with remarkable aviation professionals across multiple continents. It’s been a unique last five years navigating challenges unlike any the industry has seen. I am grateful to have done so alongside our extraordinary, dedicated and resilient team of WestJetters and it is deeply personal to me to ensure this team is set up for future, sustainable success.”
Lead image caption: WestJet Group EVP and Chief Operating Officer (COO) and President of WestJet Airlines, Diederik Pen
