WestJet Announces Major Expansion

WestJet is embarking on a major expansion this year, adding almost 200 flights to its hubs and new service to London and Paris from Halifax, the carrier’s first-ever service to mainland Europe.

The additional flights include 60 new departures from Vancouver, 72 from its hub in Calgary, and 28 flights from Toronto.

Some of the highlights include an increase of 24 weekly flights between Vancouver and Calgary for a total of 16 times daily, with hourly service in both directions; as well as nine new weekly flights between Toronto and Ottawa for a total of 13 times daily; and nine new weekly flights between Toronto and Montreal for a total of 14 times daily.

Meanwhile, on May 31, the carrier will begin offering daily direct flights between Halifax Stanfield International Airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport; and London Gatwick Airport starting Apr. 29. The transatlantic service will be operated on WestJet’s Boeing 737-8 MAX, with introductory fares at $199 one way.

This summer, WestJet will operate an average of 765 daily flights to 92 destinations including 43 in Canada; 22 in the U.S.; 23 in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America; and four in Europe.

Brian Znotins, WestJet vice president, network planning, alliances and corporate development, said the additional service will be extremely helpful for time-sensitive business travelers heading to Vancouver, Edmonton, Montreal and Halifax, “while better day-of-week schedules allow for increased connectivity for guests connecting to the greater WestJet network.”

Transborder, Calgary will see an extra weekly flight to Dallas/Fort Worth and Palm Spring, California, and two extra weekly flights to Las Vegas. WestJet will begin service to Denver International Airport daily from Calgary starting Mar. 8, and will launch four-time weekly service between Calgary and Mexico City on Mar. 14. That service becomes daily starting Apr. 29.

This summer, WestJet will operate an average of 137 daily flights from Calgary, or five departures an hour on average.

From Vancouver, Canada’s second busiest airport, WestJet is adding nine new weekly flights to Edmonton, doubling its weekly flights from Ottawa to 14, and is adding a new weekly flight to both Cancun and Cabo San Lucas.

On Mar. 15, WestJet will launch thrice-weekly service between Vancouver and Mexico City with the route moving to daily service on Apr. 29; and is adding new flights from Toronto to a number of sun destinations including Cancun, Montego Bay, Nassau, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana and Fort Myers.