Video: Kelly Hayes - Castanet

Kelowna Flightcraft has landed a significant maintenance contract.

The Kelowna based company announced Friday it has signed a long-term structural maintenance contract with WestJet.

Flightcraft President and CEO, Barry Lapointe says the agreement will bring about 100,000 hours of maintenance work to Kelowna yearly.

The contract is for three years with an option for a two-year extension in 2015.

"Long term maintenance contracts such as this are difficult to acquire so this is a significant, exciting and important part of our growth and stability in the maintenance segment of our business," says Lapointe.

"We are committed to meeting key turn times and quality of work to support WestJet operations. With the dedication of our staff, we know we will be able to achieve this."

Lapointe says Flightcraft expects to see about 24 WestJet aircraft a year.

He says the work is scheduled as 'nose to tail,' meaning the aircraft will leave as they next one arrives to replace it in maintenance.

"With this new arrangement in place, we look forward to working with Kelowna Flightcraft," says WestJet vice-president of Technical Operations, Russ White.

"This organization fosters a culture of passionate employees, something shared by WestJetters across our network. We value our commitment to safety and high quality standards as a core value."