CBJ — WestJet Airlines Chief Executive Officer Gregg Saretsky is retiring effective immediately.

Saretsky joined WestJet in June 2009 as vice-president, WestJet Vacations, and became CEO in March 2010.

Under Saretsky’s leadership, WestJet nearly doubled its fleet, launched WestJet Encore and started service to Europe.

The incoming CEO is Ed Sims, WestJet’s current executive vice-president commercial, who has also been appointed to the airline’s board of directors. Sims joined WestJet in May 2017 after serving as CEO of Airways, New Zealand’s air navigation service provider.

@CanBizJournal