WestJet Expands Role of ARINC Managed Services (AMS) in System-Wide Radio Maintenance and Management

April 26, 2007

Annapolis, Maryland—ARINC Managed Services, LLC, today announced a new $2.3 million service-level agreement with long-time customer WestJet Airlines, Canada’s leading low-cost carrier. The contract consolidates and adds to previous radio maintenance and asset management responsibilities ARINC Canada has provided to WestJet under separate contracts executed in 2003 and 2005.

Under the new agreement, WestJet will receive on-site technical support from AMS personnel assigned to its hub operations at Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal, as well as a more uniform level of radio service at 24 airport locations.

ARINC designed and installed a 19-city digital voice network for WestJet in 2003, and has provided maintenance for the system since then. In 2005, AMS also took over the maintenance of all UHF and VHF remote radio equipment for WestJet in Canada, replacing a number of local service contracts and providing WestJet a uniform quality of service. In addition, AMS launched a formal support management program in 2005 for WestJet’s radio equipment, providing new centralized inventory control as well as frequency management, repairs, and maintenance. 

“With their new contract, WestJet will enjoy cost savings plus a more effective overall level of support,” stated Don Brien, AMS Regional Manager of Canada. “Radio Systems support is a specialized area, and under this agreement ARINC will be operating as an arm of WestJet’s radio support management program.”

“WestJet is very pleased to accept ARINC’s proposal for continued wide-ranging technical support, maintenance, and overall radio management services,” stated Darcy Granley, WestJet Director of Flight Technical Operations. “ARINC Managed Services has been an integral part of our growth since 2003, including a doubling of our fleet size and passenger operations.”

WestJet is Canada's leading low-cost airline, offering scheduled service throughout its 34-city North American network. Named Canada's most respected corporation for customer service in 2005, WestJet pioneered low-cost, high-value flying in Canada. The carrier offers increased legroom and leather seats on its modern fleet of Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft, and live seatback television from Bell ExpressVu on its 737-700 fleet. For more information, visit the WestJet web site at www.westjet.com.

ARINC Managed Services (AMS) is the global IT support and service subsidiary of ARINC Incorporated. As a leading provider of operations, maintenance, and staffing services for the airports industry, AMS has the skilled personnel and engineering know-how to handle the most complex IT maintenance and support projects. AMS provides airport customers with a low-risk, highly reliable outsourcing solution, with staff trained to make it work. For more information, visit the ARINC Managed Services web site at www.arinc.com/ams.

ARINC Incorporated is the world leader in transportation communications and systems engineering. The company develops and operates communications and information processing systems and provides systems engineering and integration solutions to five key industries: airports, aviation, defense, government, and surface transportation. Founded to provide reliable and efficient radio communications for the airlines, ARINC is headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, and operates key regional offices in London and Singapore, with over 3,200 employees worldwide. ARINC is ISO 9001:2000 certified.

Release: 07-27

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