WestJet CEO Durfy abruptly resigns, cites personal reasons

WestJet President and CEO Sean Durfy announced his resignation effective April 1, insisting he was leaving on his own accord to "spend more time with my young family," and Executive VP-Operations Gregg Saretsky was appointed as the Calgary-based LCC's new president and CEO.

Durfy, who had served as president and COO of Calgary power utility Enmax Energy Corp. before joining WS in 2004 as executive VP-sales and marketing, was handpicked by charismatic WS founder Clive Beddoe to take over as president in September 2006 at age 40. He was given the CEO title in September 2007 when Beddoe stepped back from day-to-day duties but retained his role as chairman (ATWOnline, July 25, 2007).

Durfy is credited with guiding the carrier's expansion into scheduled Caribbean services and launching WestJet Vacations, which sells vacation packages for destinations served by WS, as well as inking interline accords with Air France KLM and Southwest Airlines. But he apologized last fall when installation of the SabreSonic Customer Sales and Service reservation system led to numerous complications including a temporary website shutdown. He said last month that the airline had made "significant strides" in addressing the problems (ATWOnline, Feb. 18).

Speaking to reporters in Calgary yesterday, Durfy denied that the reservation system problems or any other issues led to his departure, explaining that he had no new career plans and was excited about spending time with his children. In a statement, he said, "This was a very difficult decision for me. However, after careful consideration, I have decided that this is best for me and my family." He will remain with the carrier through Sept. 1 to help with the transition.

Beddoe said the company "will miss Sean's passion and leadership at the executive and board level and we sincerely thank him." He added that "a search for the most suitable candidate" led WS to tap Saretsky as Durfy's successor.

Saretsky began his career in the airline industry in 1985 with Canadian Airlines, where he held a variety of positions, and in 1998 moved to Alaska Airlines, where he served as executive VP-marketing and planning. He joined WS in June 2009 as VP-WestJet Vacations and in October was named executive VP-operations.