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Category: St John’s YYT

  • Porter Summer Schedule Expands Flights Across North America

    New service to Nashville

    Six new routes and more frequency across Canada

    original Porter Airlines is announcing its 2026 summer schedule with new destinations, new routes, added frequencies and the continuation of popular winter markets.

    29 January 2026

    TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Porter Airlines is announcing its 2026 summer schedule with new destinations, new routes, added frequencies and the continuation of popular winter markets.

    Porter’s U.S. network continues to expand with new flights to Nashville International Airport (BNA)—served from Toronto City (YTZ). Boston (BOS) also sees new service from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Montreal (YUL).

    Further enhancing service across Canada, Porter is introducing six new routes across Toronto Pearson, Hamilton (YHM) and Ottawa (YOW). Beginning May 1, service in Sudbury (YSB) and Windsor (YQG) moves to Ottawa from Toronto City, providing travellers with non-stop access from these cities to Porter’s growing hub in the national capital and greater connectivity across North America.

    A summary of new destinations and routes follows:

    New routesStart dateFrequency
    Ottawa – WindsorMay 1, 20267x weekly
    Ottawa – SudburyMay 1, 20267x weekly
    Toronto City – Nashville*May 11, 20267x weekly
    Toronto Pearson – Quebec City (returning)May 12, 202612x weekly
    Ottawa – KelownaMay 13, 20265x weekly
    Toronto Pearson – BostonMay 14, 202614x weekly
    Montreal – BostonMay 14, 20267x weekly
    Hamilton – St. John’sMay 15, 20265x weekly
    Hamilton – WinnipegMay 15, 20264x weekly

    *New destination

    In addition to new routes, Porter is increasing capacity for several popular existing seasonal domestic markets, providing even more options for Canadians to explore their own backyard.

    RoutesInitial frequencyNew frequency
    Ottawa – Winnipeg7x weekly12x weekly
    Toronto Pearson – Deer Lake3x weekly5x weekly
    Hamilton – Halifax7x weekly14x weekly

    A number of popular winter seasonal routes are also being extended through summer from Toronto Pearson to Cancun (CUN), Costa Rica (LIR) and Nassau (NAS), Hamilton to Fort Lauderdale (FLL), as well as from Ottawa to Cancun. Porter is the only airline offering travellers access to sun destinations from Ottawa this summer.

    RoutesFrequency
    Toronto Pearson – CancunUp to 6x weekly
    Toronto Pearson – Costa Rica2x weekly
    Toronto Pearson – Nassau2x weekly
    Hamilton – Fort Lauderdale2x weekly
    Ottawa – Cancun3x weekly

    On every flight, passengers enjoy Porter’s signature service, including no middle seats, complimentary wine and beer served in glassware and premium snacks. Routes operated with the new Embraer E195-E2 also have free, fast WiFi available for everyone.

    Full schedule details are available at www.flyporter.com.

    Quotes

    “We are making a substantial increase in flights for Porter this summer, touching on every region we fly to,” said Andrew Pierce, vice president, network planning and reporting, Porter Airlines. “Our overall network is growing by 20%, the fastest rate for any airline in North America, as we continue providing service for more passengers. Our long-standing commitment to a distinct elevated economy experience continues to result in exceptional customer satisfaction.”

    “We are pleased that Porter Airlines is continuing to grow its service from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport with the addition of Nashville,” said RJ Steenstra, president and CEO of the Toronto Port Authority, owner and operator of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. “Famed for its live music scene, creative industries and rich history, Nashville is a strong addition to our growing network of destinations. As Toronto’s downtown airport, we provide a convenient and efficient gateway to key destinations across Canada and the U.S., and we’re excited to make it easier for people to experience all that Nashville has to offer. This service will benefit from the new U.S. CBP Preclearance facility that will open in the coming weeks at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and will offer even greater convenience to our passengers.”

    “Porter Airlines’ arrival at Nashville International Airport (BNA) represents an exciting expansion of our international connectivity,” said Doug Kreulen, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA). “Nonstop access to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) gives our passengers a convenient and highly desirable connection to the heart of Toronto, and it reflects the continued demand we’re seeing from both business and leisure travelers in Middle Tennessee. We’re proud to welcome Porter as our newest airline partner at BNA and look forward to the start of service in May 2026.”

    About Porter
    Since 2006, Porter Airlines has been elevating the experience of economy air travel for every passenger, providing genuine hospitality with style, care and charm. Porter’s fleet of Embraer E195-E2 and De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft serves North America, including a coast-to-coast domestic Canadian network, the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. Headquartered in Toronto, Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline® in the World Airline Star Rating®. Visit www.flyporter.com

  • More Europe, less hassle: WestJet strengthens European network with enhanced Air France and KLM codeshare partnerships

    HALIFAX, NS, May 15, 2025 /CNW/ – WestJet today announced an expansion of its codeshare partnerships with Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM), offering guests connecting through Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Paris Charles de Gaulle enhanced access a broader network of European destinations all with the ease of a single booking.

    “As part of our commitment to flying Canadians where they want to go, these expanded partnerships provide WestJet guests with more options to explore 59 sought-after European destinations this summer,” said Jared Mikoch-Gerke, WestJet Director of Airport Affairs and Alliances. “With WestJet’s recent transatlantic network expansions, guests travelling from across the country will benefit from more choice and convenience when travelling through Paris and Amsterdam. For guests originating in, or connecting through Atlantic Canada in particular, these enhancements are a gamechanger – offering guests travelling from or through Halifax and St. John’s more destinations, fewer layovers and convenient access to Europe.”

    Guests travelling on WestJet codeshare flights with Air France and KLM will enjoy the convenience of booking their entire journey on one ticket, with a seamless single connection at CDG or AMS, baggage transfers and earning WestJet Rewards throughout their journey.

    WestJet and KLM open the door for more Europe from Atlantic Canada

    Guests flying WestJet’s new route from Halifax to Amsterdam can connect beyond AMS to 14 destinations throughout KLM’s European network including multiple cities in Italy, Portugal and France.

    CountryCityAirport Code
    BelgiumBrussels, BEBRU
    CzechiaPrague, CZPRG
    FinlandHelsinki, FIHEL
    FranceBordeaux, FRBOD
    Marseille, FRMRS
    Nice, FRNCE
    Paris-De Gaulle, FRCDG
    Rennes, FRRNS
    Toulouse, FRTLS
    ItalyBologna, ITBLQ
    Florence, ITFLR
    Milan-Linate, ITLIN
    PortugalLisbon, PTLIS
    Porto, PTOPO

    Additional Air France codeshare destinations deliver on choice for East and West

    WestJet guests departing from Calgary, Halifax and St. John’s can now access four additional European destinations via CDG. With today’s enhancements, guests have access to more than 50 destinations through Air France’s massive network in Europe through their global hub in Paris.

    CountryCityAirport Code
    RomaniaBucharest, ROOTP
    HungaryBudapest, HUBUD
    CzechiaPrague, CZPRG
    ItalyBologna, ITBLQ

    About WestJet
    WestJet took to the skies in 1996 with just over 200 employees and three aircraft operating service to five destinations. Since then, WestJet has pioneered low-cost travel in Canada, cutting airfares in half, and increasing the flying population in Canada by more than 50 per cent. Following integration with Sunwing in 2025, more than 14,000 WestJetters support nearly 200 aircraft and connect guests to more than 100 destinations across North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia.

    As a major Canadian employer that includes WestJet Airlines, Sunwing Vacations Group and WestJet Cargo, the WestJet Group is Canada’s leading low-cost airline and largest vacation provider, with a united purpose of providing affordable and accessible air and vacation travel to Canadians.

  • WestJet strengthens domestic schedule with three new routes and added capacity for summer 2025

    New routes unite Canadian communities, boost East Coast links to Europe

    HALIFAX, NS, April 22, 2025 /CNW/ – WestJet today announced a major expansion of its domestic network with new non-stop service between Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) and three Canadian cities for summer 2025. The expansion includes all-new non-stop service from Saskatoon and Regina and the return of flying between Vancouver and Halifax. In addition, new flights between Winnipeg and St. John’s have been added to the extensive summer schedule. WestJet is also increasing frequency on its popular Halifax routes from Winnipeg and Edmonton, as well as between Calgary and Deer Lake.

    “These routes bring greater choice to our guests across the country and make it easier for Canadians to access our expanding transatlantic network from Halifax and St. John’s,” said John Weatherill, WestJet Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer. “As demand for summer travel continues to evolve, we are focused on flying people where they want to go, whether it’s reuniting with loved ones in the prairies, exploring new sights in the Maritimes or seamlessly connecting to Europe.”

    New domestic routes for summer 2025

    RouteFrequencyStart date
    Winnipeg – St. John’s2x weeklyJuly 1, 2025
    Vancouver – Halifax*4x weeklyJuly 1, 2025
    Saskatoon – Halifax1x weeklyJune 28, 2025
    Regina – Halifax1x weeklyJune 29, 2025

    *Previously served in summer 2024

    Domestic frequency increases for summer 2025

    RouteFrequencyFrequency increase
    Winnipeg – Halifax10x weekly43 per cent
    Edmonton – Halifax13x weekly8 per cent
    Calgary – Deer Lake3x weekly50 per cent

    The domestic service enhancements are strategically designed to facilitate seamless, one-stop connectivity to WestJet’s direct flights from Halifax and St. John’s to Europe, including Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin, Edinburgh and London, offering more options for guests looking to explore across the Atlantic. WestJet’s full summer schedule can be found on WestJet.com.

    Additional quotes

    “Halifax is seeing record transatlantic capacity this year, and it’s exciting to see WestJet expanding their domestic offerings this summer,” said Marie Manning, Vice President of Business Development and Chief Commercial Officer at Halifax International Airport Authority. “We’re especially pleased to welcome non-stop services to Regina and Saskatoon for the first time and the return of the popular Halifax – Vancouver service, further strengthening Halifax Stanfield’s connections to the number of destinations last seen in 2019.”

    “St. John’s International Airport is thrilled with WestJet’s commitment to directly connect St. John’s and Winnipeg,” commented St. John’s International Airport CEO, Dennis Hogan.  “This brand new, non-stop route offers further choice to passengers in the summer months and strengthens WestJet’s commitment to our region.”

    “Deer Lake Regional Airport is excited to welcome an additional frequency to Calgary bringing the direct non-stop connection to western Canada to three times weekly starting in late June. Western NL is home to incredible tourism experiences and home for many in western Canada. The additional flight makes connecting western and eastern Canada that much easier,” said Tammy Priddle, Deer Lake Regional Airport President and Chief Executive Officer.

    “WestJet has consistently demonstrated their commitment to serving our region. Introducing this new non-stop summer flight from Regina to Halifax is a significant milestone and will enhance travel options for the people of Southern Saskatchewan. In addition to fulfilling a demand for more direct connections to Canada’s East Coast, Halifax is a strong connecting city to Europe through WestJet’s expanding network,” said James Bogusz, Regina Airport Authority President and Chief Executive Officer.

    “WestJet is a valued partner and currently provides Saskatoon with the highest number of flight options among our air service partners. Their ongoing commitment to enhancing air access supports regional economic growth and strengthens our community’s connectivity. We are thrilled to welcome the addition of Halifax to our route network—further connecting our city and province to Canada and the world,” said Stephen Maybury, Saskatoon Airport Authority President and Chief Executive Officer.

    “As Manitoba’s international gateway, Winnipeg Richardson International Airport is proud to support WestJet’s continued investment in strengthening domestic and transatlantic connectivity,” said Nick Hays, President and CEO of Winnipeg Airports Authority. “New service to St. John’s and increased frequencies to Halifax will provide more options for travellers while reinforcing Winnipeg’s growing role in connecting Canadians from coast to coast—and beyond.” 

    “We are pleased to see the return of service to Halifax from Vancouver for the summer season. This provides Canadians with increased options to travel between the East and West Coast and take in the diverse tourism experiences across the country,” said Russell Atkinson, Director, Air Service Development at Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

    About WestJet
    WestJet took to the skies in 1996 with just over 200 employees and three aircraft operating service to five destinations. Since then, WestJet has pioneered low-cost travel in Canada, cutting airfares in half, and increasing the flying population in Canada by more than 50 per cent. Following integration with Sunwing in 2025, more than 14,000 WestJetters support nearly 200 aircraft and connect guests to more than 100 destinations across North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia.

    As a major Canadian employer that includes WestJet Airlines, Sunwing Vacations Group and WestJet Cargo, the WestJet Group is Canada’s leading low-cost airline and largest vacation provider, with a united purpose of providing affordable and accessible air and vacation travel to Canadians.

  • Porter expands service throughout North America this summer

    Network capacity increasing by 25%

    TORONTO / March 31, 2025 – Porter Airlines is updating its 2025 summer schedule. Increases in capacity are spread across new destinations, the continuation of winter routes into summer, and added frequencies. Domestic flying during this period is now 80% of total network capacity, up from 75% in its original summer plan. This is balanced by targeted frequency reductions in select U.S. markets. Despite the changes, Porter’s presence in the Canada-U.S. market will be 25% larger than last summer.

    The summer schedule is supported by 10 additional Embraer E195-E2 aircraft compared to 2024, growing the number of jets in the airline’s fleet to 44 (of an order up to 100). These operate in conjunction with the airline’s regional fleet of 29 De Havilland Dash 8-400s.

    “Our goal is to fly where our customers want to travel, and this is a moment Canada is at the top of many people’s list,” said Kevin Jackson, president, Porter Airlines. “We are adding routes and increasing flights in regions across the country to meet this demand.”

    The updated domestic schedule includes the following details over peak summer operations:

    Route ChangesNew Peak Summer Schedule
    NEW Moncton – Toronto Pearson5x weekly
    Vancouver – Toronto Pearson6x daily
    Victoria – Toronto Pearson12x weekly
    Charlottetown – Toronto Pearson7x weekly
    St. John’s – Toronto Pearson14x weekly
    Kelowna – Toronto Pearson7x weekly
    Deer Lake – Toronto Pearson3x weekly
    Thunder Bay – Toronto Pearson7x weekly
    Calgary – Toronto Pearson4x daily
    Montre´al – Vancouver14x weekly
    Hamilton – Vancouver14x weekly
    Hamilton – Calgary6x weekly
    Hamilton – Edmonton7x weekly
    Hamilton – Halifax7x weekly
    Victoria – Ottawa7x weekly
    Halifax – Deer Lake7x weekly

    Highlights:

    • Toronto Pearson-Moncton is a new route, which complements existing flights between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport-Moncton and Ottawa-Moncton. 
    • Hamilton-Vancouver service doubles to 14 weekly flights, representative of strong pre-booking demand for this new route taking off in June.
    • Montre´al-Vancouver and Toronto-St. John’s both double planned service to 14 weekly flights.

    “These routes complement existing schedules by creating more non-stop flight options and greater connectivity for travelling beyond hubs in Toronto, Ottawa, Montre´al and Halifax,” added Jackson.

    Porter is also launching new service between Toronto Pearson – New York-LaGuardia and Montre´al – New York-Newark this spring. This is supported by expanding winter seasonal service through the summer to destinations such as Phoenix and San Diego, and increasing year-over-year capacity for Las Vegas and San Francisco. 

    “Porter has increased capacity in the U.S. by 25% year-over-year. Based on our current spring bookings, the number of passengers travelling on Porter across our transborder routes is up more than our capacity, demonstrating strong traveller demand for Porter’s elevated experience. As we shift some capacity to domestic routes in the near term to account for consumer travel interest, we are still seeing an overall increase in U.S. travel on Porter flights,” said Jackson.

    On every flight, passengers enjoy Porter’s signature service, including no middle seats, complimentary wine and beer served in glassware and premium snacks. Routes operated with the new Embraer E195-E2 also have free, fast WiFi available for everyone.

    Full schedule details are available at www.flyporter.com.

    About Porter Airlines
    Since 2006, Porter Airlines has been elevating the experience of economy air travel for every passenger, providing genuine hospitality with style, care and charm. Porter’s fleet of Embraer E195-E2 and De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft serves a North American network from Eastern Canada. Headquartered in Toronto, Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline® in the World Airline Star Rating®. Visit www.flyporter.com 

  • WestJet’s summer schedule introduces non-stop seasonal connectivity between St. John’s and Paris and welcomes back service to Dublin

    ST. JOHN’S, NL, Nov. 18, 2024 /CNW/ – Today, WestJet released its summer schedule for St. John’s, celebrating new direct service to Paris, as well as the highly-anticipated return of direct service between the province’s capital city and Dublin. The announcement event, attended by key community partners, also shared details of an increase in seasonal service to London (Gatwick), with flights increasing from three to four times weekly starting April 28, compared to the summer 2024 season.

    From left: Dennis Hogan, Chief Executive Officer of the St. John’s International Airport Authority, AnnMarie Boudreau, CEO, St. John’s Board of Trade, Craig Foley, CEO, Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, Andrew Gibbons, WestJet, Vice-President, External Affairs and Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Recreation (CNW Group/WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership)
    From left: Dennis Hogan, Chief Executive Officer of the St. John’s International Airport Authority, AnnMarie Boudreau, CEO, St. John’s Board of Trade, Craig Foley, CEO, Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, Andrew Gibbons, WestJet, Vice-President, External Affairs and Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Recreation (CNW Group/WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership)

    “We know how critical transatlantic connectivity is to St. John’s—not only for those seeking a vacation abroad, but also for boosting the province’s inbound tourism and supporting economic growth,” said Andy Gibbons, WestJet’s Vice-President of External Affairs. “Introducing new service to Paris, returning direct service to Dublin, while enhancing connections to London is a direct response to the valuable feedback from the community and we’re thrilled to celebrate this milestone with our government and industry partners. This announcement reflects WestJet’s continued commitment to the St. John’s community and our ongoing investments in the region.”

    St. John’s summer schedule highlights

    RoutePeak weekly
    frequency    		Start dateEnd date
    St. John’s-Dublin2x weeklyMay 22October 23
    St. John’s-London (Gatwick)4x weeklyApril 28October 25
    St. John’s-Paris1x weeklyMay 18October 19

    “With expanded non-stop service to London-Gatwick, the return of service to Dublin, and a brand-new direct route to Paris, today’s WestJet announcement establishes YYT as a gateway to Europe and a key entry point into North America,’ said Dennis Hogan, Chief Executive Officer of the St. John’s International Airport Authority. “Building on the success of last summer’s transatlantic service, this increase directly responds to the strong demand for European travel and further connects Newfoundland and Labrador to the world. We thank WestJet for their valued partnership and continued commitment to YYT and the communities we serve.”

    To support the ongoing schedule enhancements in St. John’s, and beyond, WestJet has recently reaffirmed its commitment to providing world-class reliable air travel all year long. To learn more about the changes being made to fortify WestJet’s operational resiliency, visit the WestJet newsroom.

    “This route expansion, providing a connection to Europe seven days a week, is a game changer. Newfoundland and Labrador welcomes these international connections; connections that help create tremendous opportunities for our province. I extend my appreciation to WestJet for continuing to work with our government and to the St. John’s International Airport Authority for its dedicated air service development efforts. There is great potential with these routes and I am excited by the possibilities,” said The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.

    About WestJet
    In 28 years of serving Canadians, WestJet has cut airfares in half and increased the flying population in Canada to more than 50 per cent. WestJet launched in 1996 with three aircraft, 250 employees and five destinations, growing over the years to more than 180 aircraft, 14,000 employees and more than 100 destinations in 26 countries.

    For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.

  • WestJet Group CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech outlines strategic plan in St. John’s

    Celebrating the Group’s return of transatlantic flying to the region, von Hoensbroech underscores steadfast commitment to Newfoundland and Labrador during inaugural visit

    ST. JOHN’S, NL, May 2, 2024 /CNW/ – WestJet Group CEO, Alexis von Hoensbroech, today concluded his inaugural visit to Atlantic Canada in St. John’s, Newfoundland, where he was joined by key stakeholders and community members to discuss the Group’s expanding presence across the region. Von Hoensbroech highlighted the WestJet Group’s renewed commitment to the region, as exhibited by network enhancements unfolding across the province’s key airports this summer, including; increased east-to-west domestic air service seamlessly connecting Canadians from coast-to-coast, and enhanced leisure service, accomplished through the resumption of seasonal transatlantic service to London (Gatwick) and increased north to south air service providing access to popular sun destinations in the winter.

    “We have heard loud and clear from both the city and the province on the importance of the WestJet Group’s presence in the region. We are committed to leveraging our aircraft to further enhance Atlantic Canada’s accessibility through thoughtful and targeted air connections, facilitating critical domestic, leisure and global air links to St. John’s and the broader province,” said von Hoensbroech.

    In his remarks, von Hoensbroech provided a comprehensive overview of the WestJet Group’s ongoing investments in Newfoundland and Labrador, demonstrating confidence in the airline’s future presence in supporting the region:

    Transatlantic flights reconnecting Newfoundland and Labrador to the world

    Elevating its growth strategy, the WestJet Group has reached significant milestones, bolstering the province’s network in 2024:

    • May 1, 2024, the WestJet Group restarted the highly anticipated service between St. John’s and London (Gatwick), providing the community with non-stop service to one of Europe’s most popular global travel hubs, filling the largest air access gap for the province.
    • This summer, St. John’s will gain a 35 per cent increase in seat capacity, as a result of the WestJet Group’s investments, compared to 2023.
    • The WestJet Group will operate 36 weekly flights out of St. John’s International Airport, during peak summer this year, a 20 per cent increase in total weekly flights, compared to 2023.
    • The WestJet Group will return service to Deer Lake this spring, with new non-stop seasonal service to Calgary on May 18, 2024 and the restart of service to Toronto on May 16, 2024.

    The WestJet Group fulfills promise to satisfy demand through network schedule

    The WestJet Group continues to elevate the province’s air connectivity by delivering the following network enhancements:

    This map represent The WestJet's Group's capacity comprising of WestJet and Sunwing Airlines service. (CNW Group/WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership)
    • In alignment with the airline’s strategy, the WestJet Group is providing St. John’s with convenient access to popular leisure destinations, including year-round connectivity to Orlando, Florida and extended seasonal service to Tampa, Florida.
    • Ensuring St. John’s remains well-connected to Western Canada, the WestJet Group will provide St. John’s with year-round connectivity to WestJet’s global hub in Calgary, where guests are one flight away from an expansive list of international destinations, including Seoul, South Korea and Tokyo, Japan.
    • This year, the WestJet Group will provide direct connectivity to twelve unique destinations out of St. John’s, including four domestic destinations, two transborder destinations, five popular sun destinations, along with a transatlantic connection to London.
    • As an integral part of the WestJet Group, Sunwing will provide non-stop access to five key sun destinations, including Montego Bay, Cancun, Cayo Coco, Matanzas and Punta Cana from three critical communities in Newfoundland and Labrador, including, St. John’s, Deer Lake and Gander in 2024. 

    Partner quotes

    “Newfoundland and Labrador has found an excellent partner in WestJet. As a Government, we have worked hard to build air access to our province and WestJet has risen to the occasion, reestablishing a direct route to Europe with the St. John’s – London Gatwick route and expanding its offerings on the east and west coasts. Thank you to CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech and the entire WestJet team,” said Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey,

    Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.

    “Air access is critical to Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy. Our tourism and hospitality industry relies heavily on the ability to get visitors to our province. WestJet’s continued commitment to working with us and our airport partners to expand service to the province has made a significant impact on our ability to grow visitation to Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Recreation.

    “We are pleased to welcome WestJet CEO, Alexis von Hoensbroech, to Newfoundland and Labrador”, said Dennis Hogan, Chief Executive Officer of the St. John’s International Airport Authority. “Coinciding with the resumption of non-stop service to London-Gatwick earlier this week, Alexis’ engagement with community stakeholders and overview of WestJet’s strategic vision reaffirms their commitment to our market.”

    About WestJet

    In 28 years of serving Canadians, WestJet has cut airfares in half and increased the flying population in Canada to more than 50 per cent. WestJet launched in 1996 with three aircraft, 250 employees and five destinations, growing over the years to more than 180 aircraft, 14,000 employees and more than 100 destinations in 26 countries. 

    For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com. 

  • St. John’s International Airport Authority Named One of Atlantic Canada’s Top Employers

    March 28, 2024 – ST. JOHN’S, NL – The St. John’s International Airport Authority (SJIAA) is proud to be named as one of Atlantic Canada’s Top Employers for 2024. This distinguished award recognizes employers in Canada’s four Atlantic provinces that lead their industries with exceptional places to work.

    “Being recognized as one of Atlantic Canada’s Top Employers is a tremendous honour,” said Dennis Hogan, Chief Executive Officer, St. John’s International Airport Authority. “We carry a significant responsibility to ensure safe and efficient air travel, and to do that, we must ensure our employees are supported. This is truly an organization-wide accomplishment, and I am very proud to witness the dedication and expertise of our team each day.”

    Employers are evaluated using eight criteria: workplace; work and social atmosphere; health, financial and family benefits; vacation and time off; employee communications; performance management; training and skills development; and community involvement.

    The selection panel recognized SJIAA in particular for its parental leave policies and comprehensive career development opportunities including career planning services, leadership development programs, and apprenticeship initiatives.

    About the St. John’s International Airport Authority

    St. John’s International Airport Authority is a private, not-for-profit, non-share corporation with the mandate to provide the region with a safe, cost-efficient transportation facility that is a catalyst for economic growth. Under the provisions of a long-term Ground Lease with the Federal Government of Canada, the Airport Authority is responsible for the airport’s operations on behalf of the community it serves.

  • WestJet celebrates a decade of flying to Europe with the restart of service between Toronto and Dublin 

    Return of service reignites two-way tourism opportunities

    TORONTO, March 2, 2024 /CNW/ – WestJet is celebrating the return of transatlantic flying between Eastern Canada and Europe following the touchdown of WestJet flight WS34 between Toronto Pearson International Airport and Dublin International Airport. As Canada’s coast-to-coast leisure travel champion, the daily summer seasonal service reaffirms WestJet’s commitment to transatlantic connectivity to and from Eastern Canada.

    This summer also marks the 10-year anniversary of WestJet’s entry into Europe, commemorating the airline’s inaugural transatlantic flight between St. John’s and Dublin in 2014.

    “Service between Toronto and Dublin continues be an important part of WestJet’s story, and we celebrate a decade of service that has strengthened ties between our two countries,” said John Weatherill, WestJet Group Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer. “The return of daily seasonal service between Toronto and Dublin gives Canadians the opportunity to immerse themselves in the diverse landscapes, rich culture and warm hospitality of Ireland with the convenience and affordability WestJet is known for.”

    RouteFrequency   Service start
    date    		Service end
    date    		Departure
    time (local)       		Arrival
    time (local)   
    Toronto – Dublin   DailyMarch 1           Oct. 13            10:45 p.m.10:55 a.m.
    Dublin – TorontoDailyMarch 2Oct. 1412:15 p.m.3:00 p.m.

    “As the gateway to Europe, direct flights between Canada and Ireland have revolutionized the tourism landscape, making it easier than ever for travellers to explore the enchanting beauty and rich heritage of Ireland. This 10-year milestone represents not just a connection between our two nations, but an invitation for travellers to immerse themselves in the vibrant culture and warm hospitality that we have to offer. As we celebrate this achievement, we look forward to welcoming even more visitors to experience the magic of Ireland firsthand and create lasting memories that will inspire future travel,” says Tourism Ireland Country Manager Sandra Moffatt.

    As WestJet continues to lead in leisure, the airline is pleased to reconnect three major eastern Canadian cities to key European destinations this summer, with additional previously announced service offerings.

    RoutePeak
    frequency       		Service
    start
    date    		Service
    end
    date    		Departure
    time
    (local)       		Arrival
    time
    (local)   
    Halifax-Dublin4x weeklyJune 19   Oct. 13    10:30 p.m.   7:55 a.m.
    Dublin-Halifax4x weeklyJune 20Oct. 149:30 a.m.11:38 a.m.   
    Halifax-Edinburgh*3x weeklyJune 20Oct. 1210:40 p.m.8:15 a.m.
    Edinburgh-Halifax3x weeklyJune 21Oct. 139:35 a.m.11:41 a.m.
    Halifax-London (Gatwick)4x weeklyApril 28Oct. 2511:00 p.m.9:00 a.m.
    London (Gatwick)-Halifax4x weeklyApril 29Oct. 2611:00 a.m.1:46 p.m.
    Toronto-EdinburghDailyMay 14Oct. 1210:10 p.m.10:00 a.m.
    Edinburgh-TorontoDailyMay 15Oct. 1311:20 a.m.1:54 p.m.
    St. John’s-London (Gatwick)3x weeklyMay 1Oct. 2512:15 a.m.9:00 a.m.
    London (Gatwick)-St. John’s   3x weeklyMay 1Oct. 2511:00 a.m.1:10 p.m.

    More information about WestJet’s summer schedule can be found at WestJet.com.

    About WestJet

    In 27 years of serving Canadians, WestJet has cut airfares in half and increased the flying population in Canada to more than 50 per cent. WestJet launched in 1996 with three aircraft, 250 employees and five destinations, growing over the years to more than 180 aircraft, 14,000 employees and more than 100 destinations in 26 countries.

    For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.

  • Porter announces pair of Newfoundland routes coming to Eastern Canada this summer

    Only carrier with non-stop Ottawa-St. John’s service
    Deer Lake joins the Porter network

    TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2024 /CNW/ – Porter Airlines is bringing more of its elevated economy experience to Newfoundland travellers this summer. This includes launching the only non-stop Ottawa-St. John’s flight on the market, and the introduction of Deer Lake as a new destination, with service to Halifax.

    Porter Airlines is bringing more of its elevated economy experience to Newfoundland travellers this summer. (CNW Group/Porter Airlines Inc.)

    Daily roundtrip Ottawa and St. John’s flights start June 6. It’s the first time in five years that any Canadian carrier has served the route. A Porter hub, Ottawa offers passengers connecting flights from St. John’s to over a dozen destinations in Canada and the U.S. This includes Western Canada cities like Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg, plus Orlando, Boston and New York.

    This route will be served by the Embraer E195-E2, the quietest single-aisle aircraft on the market. It features 132 seats configured two-by-two (which means no middle seats!), and fast, free WiFi for all passengers.

    Deer Lake is the newest pin on the Porter map, with daily roundtrip service connecting the Newfoundland summer destination with Halifax as of June 4.

    Halifax-Deer Lake will be served by the 78-seat De Havilland Dash 8-400, which combines speed, noise reduction, and high fuel efficiency for quicker trips across Porter’s Eastern Canada and Northeastern U.S. regional network.

    Flight schedules are as follows:

    RouteDepartureArrivalFlights begin
    Ottawa – St. John’s
    St. John’s – Ottawa    		2:10 p.m. 
    6:00 a.m.    		6:25 p.m. 
    7:45 a.m.    		 June 6, 2024
    Halifax – Deer Lake 
    Deer Lake – Halifax    		12:45 p.m. 
    3:25 p.m.    		2:43 p.m. 
    4:30 p.m.    		 June 4, 2024
    All times are local

    All Porter flights offer no middle seats, free premium snacks, and complimentary beer and wine for all passengers. PorterReserve passengers enjoy extra legroom and priority boarding on all flights, and fresh, healthy meals on longer jet flights – all available a la carte to PorterClassic passengers.

    Quotes

    “Newfoundland is already an important piece of Porter’s network, with existing service connecting St John’s with Toronto-Pearson and Halifax. These new routes mean that passengers have more options to enjoy many of Canada’s signature spots, while enjoying the journey as well as the destination.”
    –       Kevin Jackson, president, Porter Airlines

    “We are thrilled that Porter is addressing a key gap in our market by adding a non-stop route from YYT to Ottawa. Connecting our provincial and national capitals provides a welcome option for passengers.  We thank Porter for their continued investment and partnership.”
    –       Dennis Hogan, Chief Executive Officer of the St. John’s International Airport Authority

    “Porter Airlines is an award-winning airline that has been growing its network domestically and internationally. The daily service into Halifax Stanfield provides access to our region for business, tourism, family and friends, while at the same time connecting our communities beyond the region.”
    –       Tammy Priddle, President and Chief Executive Officer, Deer Lake Regional Airport

    “Like Halifax, Fredericton, Moncton, and Charlottetown, Porter Airlines’ new YOW-St. John’s service demonstrates the carrier’s success in linking Atlantic Canada to the National Capital Region. YOW also serves as an excellent facility for through traffic destined for points beyond, including Western Canada and the USA. Operating this formerly underserved route represents another accomplishment for Porter, further enhancing its presence at YOW.”
    –       Mark Larroche, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Ottawa International Airport Authority

    “We welcome Porter Airlines’ new non-stop route to Deer Lake, the gateway to Western Newfoundland. Today’s announcement brings our air service capacity to this destination back to pre-pandemic levels and underscores Porter’s commitment to enhancing connectivity within the Atlantic region and beyond.”
    –       Marie Manning, Vice President, Business Development and Chief Commercial Officer, Halifax International Airport Authority

    About Porter

    Since 2006, Porter Airlines has been elevating the experience of economy air travel for every passenger, providing genuine hospitality with style, care and charm. Porter’s fleet of Embraer E195-E2 and De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft serves a North American network from Eastern Canada. Headquartered in Toronto, Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline® in the World Airline Star Rating®. Visit www.flyporter.com 

  • WestJet’s Expansive Summer 2024 Schedule

    Underpinning its commitment to Canadians, airline increases domestic, leisure and international travel opportunities by 15 per cent year-over-year

    CALGARY, AB, Feb. 5, 2024 /CNW/ – WestJet today announced a significant increase in coast-to-coast travel options for Canadians with the initial release of its summer 2024 schedule. The airline is set to introduce 10 new routes and return or extend 16 routes that will continue to connect Canadians as part of its robust growth strategy. Publication of WestJet’s full summer schedule will be completed over the coming week.

    “Our 2024 summer schedule continues to deliver on our commitment to make critical investments across Canada, providing more affordable options for Canadians and international visitors to connect with the people and places that matter the most,” said John Weatherill, WestJet Group Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer. “This summer will see the return of seasonal, leisure-focused flying, to connect Eastern and Western Canada, and substantial growth in service to sun destinations, further cementing our position as Canada’s leading leisure airline. At our global hub in Calgary and cities across the country, WestJet’s schedule supports Canada’s visitor economy with more than 75,000 seats arriving each week from Europe, Asia and the United States.”

    Connecting Canadians Across the Country

    In addition to the continued expansion of WestJet’s network with 15 new routes to and from Western Canada, this summer Eastern Canada will benefit from 11 new routes including: 

    • New direct seasonal service between Calgary and Deer Lake, Nfld.
    • The return of seasonal non-stop service between Toronto and Deer Lake, Nfld., Moncton, N.B., Charlottetown, P.E.I., and Victoria, B.C.
    • Return of transatlantic flying between Halifax and Dublin, Edinburgh and London, and St. John’s and London (Gatwick)
    • 44 per cent growth in Halifax, N.S. and 60 per cent growth in St. John’s, Nfld. compared to Summer 2023

    Leading in Leisure

    As Canada’s top choice for leisure travel, the WestJet Group will offer more capacity than any other airline for Canadians looking to fly to popular sun destinations this summer. Highlights include:

    • 57 per cent growth in Latin and Caribbean routes over summer 2023
    • 56 per cent increase in capacity from Toronto to sun destinations
    • More flights between Hawaii and Canada than any other airline, and the only airline providing year-round service between Canada and Maui-Kahului, from both Calgary and Vancouver

    Transborder Growth and Expanded Access to Delta hubs

    Providing increased opportunities for two-way travel between Canada and the United States, WestJet will grow transborder seat capacity by 26 per cent this summer, including 70 per cent growth to Delta hubs.

    Highlights of the transborder schedule include:

    Through WestJet’s longstanding codeshare partnership with Delta Air Lines, guests can access more than 100 U.S. destinations when connecting through the U.S. airline’s hubs in Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, Los Angeles and Seattle.

    WestJet guests can reach Delta’s expansive U.S. network on a single purchased ticket with check-in for all flights at the first departure, baggage tagged to their final destination and lounge access for select guests. Additionally, frequent flyers of both airlines will continue to enjoy extensive reciprocal benefits anytime they fly with either carrier, including earning and redeeming WestJet dollars across the entire itinerary.

    Summary of New Markets

    New RoutesReturning RoutesSummer Extensions
    Edmonton-AtlantaHalifax-DublinCalgary-Honolulu
    Edmonton-NashvilleHalifax-London (LGW)Calgary-Maui
    Edmonton-San FranciscoHalifax-OrlandoCalgary-Punta Cana
    Vancouver-DetroitSt. John’s-OrlandoCalgary-Varadero
    Halifax-EdinburghToronto-DublinVancouver-Phoenix
    St. John’s-London (LGW)Toronto-EdinburghEdmonton-Phoenix
    Regina-MinneapolisToronto-ProvidencialesEdmonton-Orlando
    Calgary-SeoulToronto-Puerto Plata
    Calgary-ReykjavikToronto-Moncton
    Calgary-Deer Lake

    About WestJet

    In 27 years of serving Canadians, WestJet has cut airfares in half and increased the flying population in Canada to more than 50 per cent. WestJet launched in 1996 with three aircraft, 250 employees and five destinations, growing over the years to more than 180 aircraft, 14,000 employees and more than 100 destinations in 26 countries.

    For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.