How a Canadian Airline Built a Regional Empire Using Only One Type of Aircraft

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Formed to solve the growth limitations of a Boeing 737-only fleet, WestJet Encore launched in 2013 as a specialized regional carrier. By deploying a massive fleet of De Havilland Canada Dash 8 Q400 NextGen turboprops, the airline successfully captured smaller markets and increased flight frequencies across Western Canada.

WestJet Airlines identified a strategic bottleneck in 2005: its reliance on Boeing 737 aircraft meant it would saturate the Canadian market once its fleet reached 90 to 100 planes. To bypass this, the company formed WestJet Encore in 2013 as a legally separate, wholly owned subsidiary. The new airline was designed to serve routes with lower traffic volumes where the larger 737s were inefficient, allowing WestJet to compete more effectively with Air Canada, which already utilized smaller turboprop aircraft.

This aircraft was chosen over the ATR72-600 for its superior speed and performance on longer flights. The Q400 NextGen features active noise suppression and larger overhead bins, though it lacks drop-down oxygen masks because it is certified to operate only up to 25,000 feet. By December 2017, the airline had expanded its fleet to 43 aircraft, becoming the fourth-largest operator of the Q400 globally.

WestJet Encore’s operational footprint has shifted significantly over time. While it initially served routes across Canada and even expanded into the U.S. with flights to Boston and Nashville, a 2021 restructuring refocused the airline entirely on Western Canada. This shift was part of a broader corporate strategy to prioritize the region. Today, the airline remains a vital connector, with half of its passengers using its flights to reach larger WestJet mainline connections, despite ongoing challenges like pilot shortages and the logistical complexities of its primary hub at Calgary International Airport.

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