Elix Aviation Capital is to lease two Bombardier Q400s to Canada’s WestJet Encore, the regional carrier owned by WestJet.
The Dublin, Ireland-based lessor says it has completed lease agreements with the carrier, which becomes its first Canadian customer and its fifth Q400 operator.
Elix Aviation’s chief commercial officer, John Moore, said the company was honoured to support the airline’s continued fleet expansion, adding: “WestJet Encore’s deployment of the Q400 provides a great example of how turboprops add value to airline networks with their ability to profitably serve smaller markets.”
WestJet Encore’s president, Charles Duncan, said the deal would help it continue its growth across the country and that the flexibility provided by the lease agreement “supports our strategy of connecting more Canadians with low fares.” The airline is now in its fifth year of operation and has a fleet of over 40 Q400s, flying to over 30 destinations in North America.
Elix Aviation is a turboprop leasing specialist to the regional aircraft market that was established in 2013 and has since built up a portfolio of Bombardier and ATR aircraft with more than 20 lessees worldwide.
