Don Bell, who helped found WestJet Airlines Ltd. 11 years ago, will leave the company in July, the air carrier said on May 30.

Bell will retire from his post as executive vice-president, people at Canada's No. 2 airline on July 2.

Bell helped found WestJet in 1996 with current chief executive Clive Beddoe, Mark Hill and Tim Morgan. After Bell's departure, Beddoe will be the sole member of the founding four still with the company.

Bell, a commercial pilot, was responsible for WestJet's corporate culture, which emphasizes upbeat and informal customer service.