Boeing has confirmed that Canadian low-fare carrier WestJet has ordered seven new Boeing 737-700s to add to its all-737 fleet. The airplanes, which have a catalog value of about U.S. $360-million, are scheduled for delivery in 2005. WestJet, based in Calgary, Alberta, recently celebrated its 27th consecutive quarter of profitability and has consistently recorded 50-percent annual growth as it expanded its routes across Canada. Founded in 1996, WestJet flew a fleet of 737-200s in its first five years of operation. It began adding Next-Generation 737-700s in 2001. The airline currently operates 44 Boeing 737s, including 26 737-700s.

Hard To Believe? Or Are People Just Tired Of Complaining (To Little Effect)? DOT tells us that complaints about airline service filed by consumers with them fell for the fourth consecutive month in November, according to the department’s monthly Air Travel Consumer Report. DOT received 382 complaints in November, 26.4 percent below the total of 519 received in November 2002 and 4.0 percent fewer than the 398 complaints received this past October. The monthly report also includes data on the number and causes of flight delays, as well as information on flight cancellations, reports of mishandled baggage filed with the carriers, and consumer disability and discrimination complaints received by the Aviation Consumer Protection Division.