WestJet announces new steps to assist Haiti relief efforts

Airline offers free flights to relief workers, adoptive parents and fundraisers

CALGARY , Feb. 12 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced that it is donating flights for volunteer and relief workers, adoptive parents of Haitian children and fundraising events to assist the relief efforts in Haiti .

WestJet will fly volunteer/relief workers from recognized relief organizations operating in Haiti on its regularly scheduled flights from Canada to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic . The airline will also supply free return flights within Canada to adoptive parents of Haitian children registered with the federal government's Operation Stork program to meet their children when they arrive in Canada . WestJet will also donate flight vouchers to recognized organizations holding fundraising events for Haiti relief efforts.

The additional assistance follows WestJet's $100,000 donation to the Canadian Red Cross on January 15 . On January 19 , WestJet donated a chartered aircraft to World Vision Canada and delivered $200,000 worth of medical supplies to Port-au-Prince and returned with approximately 120 Canadian evacuees.

In addition to WestJet's corporate donation, individual WestJetters have donated more than $75,000 to charities dedicated to assisting with the relief efforts in Haiti .

"I am very proud of what WestJet and WestJetters are doing for Haiti ," said Sean Durfy, WestJet President and CEO. "It's clear that Haitians are going to need a lot more help in the weeks and months ahead, and these additional measures are designed to address a broad range of needs."

For more information or to apply for a flight, visit westjet.com and click on About Us/Haiti Relief.

About WestJet

WestJet is Canada's preferred airline, offering scheduled service throughout its 68-city North American and Caribbean network. Inducted into the Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures Hall of Fame and named one of Canada's best employers, WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in Canada . WestJet offers increased legroom, leather seats and live seatback television provided by Bell TV on its modern fleet of 87 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. With future confirmed deliveries for an additional 48 aircraft through 2016, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world.

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For further information: Media contact: Robert Palmer, Media Relations, telephone: 1-888-WJ 4 NEWS (1-888-954-6397), email: [email protected]