With Lots of Planes Coming, WestJet Teams with CAE to Train Pilots

After placing the largest Boeing order in Canadian aviation history, WestJet has taken a big step to ensure it will have qualified pilots to fly the new planes. 

The carrier has signed a 15-year agreement with aviation training specialist CAE, under which CAE will establish the Alberta Training Centre of Excellence (the Centre) for Aviation and Aerospace — a cutting-edge aviation training facility in WestJet’s Calgary home base. 

Slated to open in 2028, the 126,000 square foot facility will house eight full-flight simulators, with capacity for expansion, alongside cabin trainers and state of the art digital learning tools. 

WestJet will be the Centre’s primary commercial airline customer and be the first to schedule initial and recurrent training for pilots and cabin crew on Boeing 737MAX, 737NG, 787 Dreamliner, and De Havilland Dash 8-400 (Q400) aircraft. In partnership with Mount Royal University (MRU), the facility will be the first of its kind in Canada to combine state-of-the-art training equipment with collaborative research and development initiatives.

“WestJet’s commitment to being the first commercial airline customer at the Alberta Training Centre of Excellence is testament to our investment in our current and future WestJetters and in Calgary as an aviation hub,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet Group CEO. 

“This 15-year contract is a significant commitment that will ensure our people receive the highest standard of training for years to come, and we’re very pleased to join forces with CAE, a global leader in aviation training and fellow Canadian company, to bring this project to life.”

“Today marks a proud moment for CAE and for Canadian aviation,” said CAE President and CEO Matthew Bromberg. 

“The Alberta Training Centre of Excellence represents what’s possible when industry, academia, and government come together with a shared vision for innovation, safety, and workforce development. As global demand for aviation professionals accelerates, this centre positions Canada to remain at the forefront of training excellence.”

CAE says the initiative marks its expansion into Western Canada and anchors Calgary as a strategic hub for aviation workforce development. The high-quality training environment will support WestJet’s growing workforce, as well as personnel from other carriers, and will also serve the next generation of commercial aviators from Mount Royal University (MRU).