Following media reports on the decommissioning of WestJet’s travel agent booking channel and the subsequent negative response from advisors, WestJet Director Sales, Amanda Ierfino, provides background on the rationale for the decision and the fact that it does not affect other booking platforms.
The statement also gives a timeline as to the availability of a replacement tool.
Statement on decommission of WestJet Agent booking channel from Amanda Ierfino, Director, Sales, October 13, 2023
As was previously announced on October 10, we have made the difficult decision to decommission our booking channel, WestJet Agent. Effective October 24, 2023, WestJet Agent will no longer be available.
Please note that this change does not impact any other booking platforms such as WestJet Biz, SIREV or any GDS. WestJet Vacations and WestJet Vacations Groups tools are not affected.
Amanda Ierfino, Director of Sales at WestJet, has provided the following update:
"We know the recent announcement about the decommissioning of WestJet Agent has caused some confusion and speculation amongst the travel trade. WestJet Agent is being retired due to technical reasons; however, it has always been our intention to implement an alternate booking option for our travel trade partners.
Although there is no immediate replacement available, we are actively working on developing a new booking option and expect to have a tool in place by Q1 of 2024. We look forward to sharing more information with our trade partners in the coming weeks.
We have always been committed to supporting and working alongside our travel trade partners, and that has not changed. Many teams at WestJet are working diligently on providing a solution that will meet the needs of our partners.”
Agents that need support with existing bookings scheduled to depart after WestJet Agent is decommissioned on October 24 may contact our Travel Support Team at 1-877-664-3205. Additional questions may be directed to travelagencyweb@westjet.com.
