WestJet Encore

WestJet Encore has maintained a generally good safety record, adhering to regulatory standards, despite experiencing a few notable incidents.

• Recent Safety Record and Notable Incidents: The airline is IOSA certified, indicating compliance with recognized operational safety standards.
• On July 19, 2019, a WestJet Encore Dash 8-400 experienced a hard landing at Edmonton International Airport, resulting in wrinkled fuselage skins and damage to the nose-gear assembly.
• A runway excursion occurred at Terrace Airport, British Columbia, on January 31, 2020.
• On March 3, 2023, a WestJet Encore flight made an emergency landing at Kelowna International Airport due to an engine failure, with all 75 passengers landing safely.
• An aft fuselage strike and hard landing were reported at Calgary International Airport on April 13, 2024, an incident linked by the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) to pilot training issues concerning pitch awareness. This led to WestJet Encore amending its pilot training courses.
• Other reported incidents include an unsafe gear indication at Edmonton on November 17, 2023, a hydraulic leak at Vancouver on March 18, 2024, rejected takeoffs due to unreliable airspeed at Regina on February 13, 2025, and propeller trouble at Vancouver on November 30, 2024. No fatal accidents have been reported.
• Regulatory Certifications: WestJet Encore holds an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from Transport Canada (Canada 17093) and a US AOC (5WJF451F). It is also IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certified, a globally recognized standard for airline operational safety management. WestJet, its parent company, holds a 7/7 safety rating.
• Fleet Age and Maintenance Reputation: The average age of WestJet Encore's De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 fleet is 9.3 years old, with the oldest aircraft being 11.9 years old as of March 2025. This relatively young fleet, combined with the fact that WestJet has considered merging the maintenance units of its mainline and regional subsidiaries, suggests a commitment to maintenance standards.
• Overall Safety Assessment: Based on available data, WestJet Encore maintains a strong overall safety profile, supported by regulatory certifications and a relatively young fleet. While incidents have occurred, the airline has demonstrated responsiveness, for example, by adjusting pilot training following specific events. The focus on operational reliability and safety by the WestJet Group further reinforces this assessment.
• Safety Awards or Recognitions: WestJet Encore was a recipient of Bombardier Commercial Aircraft's 2017 Airline Reliability Performance award, recognized for achieving at least 99% dispatch reliability throughout the year. Additionally, in 2023, an individual from WestJet Encore received the "Safety Above All" award at the WestJet Group Awards for their initiative in promoting ramp safety through a "safety rodeo."