With the arrival of a new year, Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is thrilled to release the findings of the Economic Impact Study showing the airport’s contributions to the local, regional and provincial economy. The study highlights that in 2024 YLW supported 9,210 full-time jobs and generated a total economic output of over 2 billion d0llars.
The study, developed using data from 96 commercial firms and government agencies, looked at the economic impact generated directly by the airport and indirectly by supporting businesses including air carriers, concessionaires, air cargo, aviation maintenance and non-resident visitor spending, among others. Ongoing investment in YLW, including the current Airport Terminal Building Expansion construction and other facility enhancements also contributed to the economic benefits.
“This report reaffirms the importance of YLW as, not only an important transportation hub, but a driving force for economic growth in our region,” said Sam Samaddar, CEO of Kelowna International Airport. “Since the last Economic Impact Study in 2014, our community and airport have seen incredible growth. These findings reflect YLW’s commitment to growing with the Okanagan region and help to attract investment, create jobs, support local businesses and spur economic growth in our community.”
Key findings of the report include:
$2.076 billion in total economic output, an increase of 163 per cent since 2014.
9,210 jobs, an increase of 103 per cent since 2014.
$519.25 million in taxes paid annually to local, provincial and federal governments.
According to the report, of YLW’s 2.13 million passengers in 2024, 40 per cent were identified as non-resident visitors recreating in the Kelowna area. Interesting to note, every 1,000 passengers through YLW creates 2.9 jobs, generates $161,000 in annual labour and creates $571,000 of economic output activity.
Besides the economic impact, the report also details some of YLW’s social value impact to the community, including air ambulance services, airport volunteerism, aviation heritage and education and childcare services.
To read the full YLW 2024 Economic Impact Study, visit ylw.kelowna.ca.
This event is considered the most important global gathering of airport leaders and is attended by senior aviation executives from across the globe. YLW is honoured to be recognized for their commitment to continuous improvement and making measurable progress in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from airport operations.
Specific actions to achieve this milestone have included:
Utilizing Renewable Diesel Fuel in airport operating vehicles
Investing in energy-efficient LED runway lighting
Rooftop solar PV panels to generate renewable energy
Reducing gas and diesel consumption to heat and power gates
Installation of geothermal for heating and cooling
Improving waste management within the terminal
Beyond gathering emissions data, this has included the facilitation of collaborative quarterly meetings of the Campus Green Committee, where innovations and challenges regarding carbon reductions are discussed by the group. The Green Committee is a group of airport campus partners who are committed to reducing carbon emissions, improving operational efficiencies, and contributing to a more sustainable airport that benefits everyone.
To learn more about YLW’s climate commitments, visit ylw.kelowna.ca.
VANCOUVER, BC, July 7, 2025 /CNW/ – WestJet today announced its winter 2025/2026 schedule, strengthening its commitment to British Columbia through the launch of all-new, non-stop seasonal service between Vancouver and Liberia, Costa Rica and enhanced frequency on seven domestic routes. Victoria International Airport will see an overall seat capacity increase of 10 per cent, while Kelowna International Airport will see an overall increase of 11 per cent.
“WestJet’s 2025/2026 B.C. winter schedule reflects our commitment to making air travel more accessible and affordable for Western Canadians,” said John Weatherill, WestJet Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer. “By increasing domestic frequencies across British Columbia and introducing new sun service to Costa Rica, we’re giving our guests more choice and flexibility so they can connect with loved ones, explore new destinations or escape the cold, all with the convenience and value they expect from WestJet.”
Route
Peak weekly frequency
Start date
Increase over winter 2024
Vancouver – Liberia
1x weekly
December 12
New service
Vancouver – Kelowna*
55x weekly
Year-round
53 per cent
Vancouver – Victoria*
35x weekly
Year-round
25 per cent
Vancouver – Nanaimo*
6x weekly
Year-round
50 per cent
Vancouver – Cranbrook*
5x weekly
Year-round
67 per cent
Kelowna – Puerto Vallarta*
4x weekly
October 26
33 per cent
Kelowna – Calgary*
66x weekly
Year-round
27 per cent
Kelowna – Edmonton*
27x weekly
Year-round
42 per cent
Kelowna – Toronto*
5x weekly
Year-round
67 per cent
Victoria – Kelowna*
5x weekly
Year-round
67 per cent
Victoria – Edmonton*
13x weekly
Year-round
44 per cent
*New frequency available July 14
Sunwing Vacations expands package options
The WestJet Group continues to offer enhanced vacation packages through Sunwing Vacations Group’s tour operating and retail brands, including WestJet Vacations. Vacation seekers can enjoy seamless, affordable holiday travel with the added benefit of WestJet’s industry-leading hospitality by booking on WestJet.com, Sunwing.ca or WestJet.com/en-ca/vacations.
Additional quotes
“We are seeing strong demand for service to Costa Rica from YVR and are delighted that WestJet will be providing important connectivity for our region with the launch of its new service from Vancouver to Liberia,” said Mike McNaney, Vice President and Chief External Affairs Officer at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). “WestJet’s Liberia route will mark the only non-stop scheduled service to Central America from Vancouver, which is a key addition to WestJet’s network at YVR and offers new opportunities for trade and tourism that benefit our community and the economy that supports it.”
“This increase in WestJet flights for the winter schedule to key destinations of Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and Vancouver, demonstrates WestJet’s continued dedication to Okanagan region. The increase in domestic frequency not only offers greater convenience and flexible travel options, but also strengthens Kelowna’s connectivity to international destinations,” says Sam Samaddar, CEO, Kelowna International Airport. “The significant increase to the winter schedule will benefit our local community by attracting more visitors to enjoy everything our region has to offer, spurring local tourism and business.”
“We are pleased to see WestJet’s continued confidence in our market, as reflected in this expanded winter schedule. Increased frequency on key domestic routes will significantly enhance regional connectivity for Vancouver Island residents, making it easier to access more destinations and opportunities. We greatly value our strong partnership with WestJet and look forward to welcoming even more travellers through Victoria International Airport,” said Elizabeth Brown, President and CEO, Victoria Airport Authority.
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.
Learn more about WestJet at westjet.com/en-ca/who-we-are (also available in French)
The Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is proud to share a significant project milestone for Airport Terminal Building (ATB) expansion – the mass timber roof structureof the facility is now complete! The use of mass timber throughout the terminal building expansion highlights the airport’s commitment to sustainability, innovation and community reflection in this project.
YLW received $500,000 from the Province’s Mass Timber Demonstration Program, which aims to grow B.C.’s mass timber and engineered wood products industry and position B.C. as aworld leader in wood design, engineering and construction.
An important design consideration for the ATB Expansion is to incorporate characteristics that showcase our local community. The use of mass timber plays a meaningful role inconveying our region’s natural beauty, heritage and character. The structural concept of creating a wood waffle-slab is a connection to the character of the original terminal building but reinventing it in a natural modern material, using 21st-century technologies.
The mass timber panels were manufactured at Kalesnikoff’s state-of-the-art facility in Castlegar, B.C. This facility is equipped with advanced machinery that allowed for precise machining, finishing and assemblyof the panels. YLW used a digital construction twin to complete advanced computer modeling for prefabrication of the wood panels and beams. This enabled the coordination of all openings for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing to be manufactured at Kalesnikoff’s facility in Castlegar, and delivered ready for installation, ensuring accuracy and efficiency at the construction site inKelowna.
Using mass timber locally sourced in B.C. supports the local economy and creates jobs in the forestry and construction sectors. The terminal building expansion incorporated 788m3 of wood from the Slocan Valley and the mass timber production supported the employment of more than 350 people in B.C.
The ATB Expansion is scheduled to be completed in 2026. To learn more about the project, visit ylw.kelowna.ca/atb.
TORONTO / May 14, 2025 – Porter Airlines has landed in Kelowna with nonstop service from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). The schedule begins with five weekly roundtrip flights, increasing to daily roundtrip flights on June 23.
Kelowna complements Porter’s growing presence in British Columbia with existing flights to Vancouver and Victoria. The route is operated on the new 132-seat Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, the quietest and most fuel-efficient aircraft in its class. The two-by-two configuration means no middle seats on any Porter flight.
Route
Departure
Arrival
Toronto-Pearson (YYZ) to Kelowna (YLW)
9:15 a.m.
10:55 a.m.
Kelowna (YLW) to Toronto-Pearson (YYZ)
11:50 a.m.
7:00 p.m.
All times local
Connecting flights with Ottawa, Montre´al, Halifax and St. John’s are also available via Toronto.
“With our growing presence in Western Canada, and strong connections across our eastern network, we’re making it even easier for travellers to explore all that Canada has to offer,” said Andrew Pierce, vice president, network planning and reporting, Porter Airlines. “Kelowna offers travellers year-round activities to embrace the beauty and adventure of the Okanagan Valley. It’s a must-visit for its scenic views, trails, pristine lakes, skiing, and award-winning wineries.”
Porter’s onboard experience provides every passenger with complimentary beer and wine served in glassware, a selection of Canadian premium snacks, and free, fast streaming WiFi. The all-inclusive PorterReserve fare includes fresh, healthy meals, and features such as the ability to change flights without a fee, dedicated check-in, extra legroom, and two checked bags. For travellers who want to choose specific features to fit their needs, the PorterClassic fare offers these perks à la carte.
“We are excited to have a new airline at YLW that provides our passengers with more travel options and increased access to destinations across Canada. This is the start of what I know will be a great partnership with Porter Airlines that will benefit our entire region,” says Sam Samaddar, Chief Executive Officer, Kelowna International Airport.
Sustainability is at the heart of the menu design, with a priority on reducing and eventually eliminating single-use plastics onboard, providing biodegradable cutlery, and eco-friendly packaging.
“Kelowna is excited to welcome Porter Airlines’ inaugural flight from Toronto Pearson International Airport,” said Mayor Tom Dyas. “This new direct connection is one of several new routes supporting the continued expansion of Kelowna International Airport. It strengthens our ties to Eastern Canada, boosts our local economy, supports businesses, and highlights Kelowna’s growing appeal as a premier destination.”
Flights are now available for booking at www.flyporter.com and with travel agents.
April 23, 2025 – Kelowna BC – This year, Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is awarding $7,000 to two students, $3,500 each, in the Okanagan pursuing a career in aviation or aerospace. This is the third year YLW, in partnership with British Columbia Aviation Council, has awarded this scholarship.
“The YLW Scholarship Fund is designed to encourage the next generation to pursue a future in aviation and aerospace. There are countless different opportunities in aviation with careers ranging from aircraft maintenance, air traffic control, airport management and many more,” says Sam Samaddar, Chief Executive Officer, Kelowna International Airport. “By supporting local students, we are investing in the future of aviation and the continued growth of the Okanagan.”
The YLW Scholarship Fund is managed by the British Columbia Aviation Council (BCAC). BCAC recognizes the financial pressures faced by students pursuing studies in aviation and aerospace and are pleased to offer more than $150,000 worth of scholarships and other support this year. With the critical shortage of human resources faced by the aviation industry – even before the COVID pandemic – and the need to support industry-wide recovery efforts, a focus on scholarships is a key priority of the BCAC. As a result, this is Canada’s largest aviation and aerospace scholarship program.
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 Changes
New Peak Summer Schedule
NEW Moncton – Toronto Pearson
5x weekly
Vancouver – Toronto Pearson
6x daily
Victoria – Toronto Pearson
12x weekly
Charlottetown – Toronto Pearson
7x weekly
St. John’s – Toronto Pearson
14x weekly
Kelowna – Toronto Pearson
7x weekly
Deer Lake – Toronto Pearson
3x weekly
Thunder Bay – Toronto Pearson
7x weekly
Calgary – Toronto Pearson
4x daily
Montre´al – Vancouver
14x weekly
Hamilton – Vancouver
14x weekly
Hamilton – Calgary
6x weekly
Hamilton – Edmonton
7x weekly
Hamilton – Halifax
7x weekly
Victoria – Ottawa
7x weekly
Halifax – Deer Lake
7x 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.
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
More Flights. More Savings. More Eh-mazing Adventures.
Edmonton, March 27, 2025 – Snow problem, Canada – we’ve got you covered. Flair Airlines just dropped its Winter 2025 schedule like it’s hot chocolate on a cold day – with way more domestic flights to get you where you need to go (and maybe where you didn’t know you needed to).
From extra hops between Vancouver and Calgary to a full-on flight-fest between Edmonton and Abbotsford, Flair is doubling down on domestic to bring you more flexibility, more savings, and fewer excuses to not visit your in-laws. Or not. We don’t judge. You could always fly directly to Guadalajara, Mexico, 4 times a week from Vancouver for a quick escape to heat and history.
“We’re turning up the heat on winter travel with more flights, better options, and unbeatable value,” said Maciej Wilk, interim CEO of Flair Airlines. “Whether you’re chasing powder in the Rockies or pierogies in Toronto, we’re here to get you there — affordably, frequently, safely, and on time.”
What’s New & Juicy in Winter 2025?
Vancouver–Calgary: Now 21 flights a week (+40%) – basically, a shuttle.
Edmonton–Abbotsford: +10 flights/week – call it “the commuter express.”
Vancouver–Toronto: Jumping from 11 to 20 flights – because one flight a day was so 2023.
Kelowna–Calgary: No longer seasonal – it’s officially a year-round love affair.
With demand for U.S. sun-trips cooling down, Flair is going all-in on True North travel. That means more planes, more cities, more maple-flavoured memories.
Oh, and did we mention the best completion factor in Canada and the only On-Time Guarantee in the country? We don’t just get you there – we get you there when we said we would.
So, what are you waiting for, Canada? That cousin’s wedding? That business trip? That ski weekend? The sky’s wide open. Let’s go.
About Flair Airlines
Flair Airlines is Canada’s most reliable airline. As Canada’s greenest airline, Flair is on a mission to provide affordable air travel that connects Canadians to the people and experiences they love. With an expanding fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft, Flair is growing to serve over 35 cities across Canada, the U.S., Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. For more information, please visit www.flyflair.com.
Porter Airlines Landing in Kelowna With New Toronto Pearson Flights
December 17, 2024
TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Porter Airlines is expanding its presence in British Columbia with flights between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Kelowna International Airport (YLW). Service begins on May 14, 2025, with five weekly roundtrip flights, increasing to daily roundtrip flights on June 23.
Kelowna will be the third city in British Columbia that Porter serves with its new 132-seat Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, complementing existing flights to Vancouver and Victoria. The E195-E2 has the lowest fuel consumption per seat and per trip in its class, and is the quietest single-aisle jet flying today. The two-by-two configuration means no middle seats on any Porter flight.
Route
Departure
Arrival
Toronto-Pearson (YYZ) to Kelowna (YLW)
9:15 a.m.
10:55 a.m.
Kelowna (YLW) to Toronto-Pearson (YYZ)
11:50 a.m.
7:00 p.m.
All times local
Connecting flights with Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax and St. John’s will also be available.
“Our presence in Western Canada continues to grow and more travellers can now enjoy their trip as soon as they get onboard the aircraft with Porter’s award-winning elevated economy experience,” said Edmond Eldebs, senior vice president and chief commercial officer, Porter Airlines. “Travellers will appreciate direct access to Kelowna’s mountainous landscapes and all of the beauty that the Okanagan Valley has to offer. It’s a true year-round destination that will benefit from improved connections to Eastern Canada.”
Porter’s onboard experience provides every passenger with complimentary beer and wine served in glassware, a selection of Canadian premium snacks, and free, fast streaming WiFi. The all-inclusive PorterReserve fare includes fresh, healthy meals, and features such as the ability to change flights without a fee, dedicated check-in, extra legroom, and two checked bags. For travellers who want to choose specific features to fit their needs, the PorterClassic fare offers these perks à la carte.
Sustainability is at the heart of the menu design, with a priority on reducing and eventually eliminating single-use plastics onboard, providing biodegradable cups and cutlery, and eco-friendly packaging.
“Porter Airlines’ decision to expand its services to Kelowna is a significant milestone for our community. This new route not only enhances connectivity between Kelowna and Toronto but also opens up new opportunities for tourism and business in the Okanagan Valley,” says Sam Samaddar, Kelowna International Airport CEO. “We are excited to welcome Porter Airlines to Kelowna and look forward to the positive impact this partnership will bring.”
Flights are now available for booking at www.flyporter.com and with travel agents.
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
Enhanced domestic, transborder and intercontinental connections pave the way for cross-country economic growth and expanded opportunities for business and leisure travel
CALGARY, AB, Nov. 18, 2024 /CNW/ – Today WestJet announced its complete summer schedule for 2025, featuring 10 per cent growth network wide and domestic growth of 12 per cent. As the airline introduces two new domestic and three new transborder destinations, along with 11 new routes across its network, WestJet is actively pursuing its strategy to improve air travel accessibility and affordability across Canada.
“WestJet’s expanded summer schedule reflects our continued commitment to connecting Canadians by increasing our domestic and international capacity. In Canada alone we are growing capacity by 12 percent, operating to 41 airports with over 3,000 weekly departures,” said John Weatherill, WestJet Group, Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer. “Offering more options for business and leisure travel, we’re excited to see our guests’ stories take off this summer as we ensure Canadians have affordable and reliable access to visit the people and destinations they love.”
This summer, WestJet will deliver double-digit increases in total seat capacity across 10 major Canadian airports:
Canadian destination
Capacity increase over summer 2024
Calgary
11 per cent
Edmonton
23 per cent
Kelowna
15 per cent
Montreal
31 per cent
Ottawa
36 per cent
Regina
23 per cent
Saskatoon
19 per cent
Vancouver
12 per cent
Victoria
18 per cent
Winnipeg
19 per cent
Providing greater air access to Canadians
WestJet will welcome two new domestic destinations to its network this summer with direct and exclusive service to Calgary. These new domestic routes enhance opportunities for Canadians to explore the country along with increased access to connect onwards to WestJet’s vast network of global destinations, through its global hub in Calgary.
New destinations
Sudbury, Ontario: Bringing two-times weekly service to the largest metropolitan area in Canada currently without WestJet operations, the airline is opening a highly-anticipated gateway for Northern Ontario communities to connect to Western Canada for business and leisure getaways this summer;
Sydney, Nova Scotia: In alignment with WestJet’s strategy, the airline continues to strengthen its seamless connectivity between Atlantic and Western Canada, with the addition of two-times weekly service between Sydney and Calgary.
Domestic summer schedule highlights
Route
Peak weekly frequency
Start date
End date
Summer service change
Calgary-Sudbury
2x weekly
June 12
October 19
Returning destination
Calgary-Sydney
2x weekly
June 10
October 18
Returning destination
Significant expansion of service to the United States
Introducing three new U.S. destinations to its Alberta network this summer, WestJet continues to enhance its transborder service, providing convenient opportunities for Canadians to access their favourite leisure and business destinations north and south of the border.
New destinations
Anchorage, Alaska: Launching two-times weekly service between Calgary and Anchorage, Canadians connecting via the airline’s hub, will gain coveted seasonal access to Alaska’s incredible recreational landscapes and popular cruise opportunities;
Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina: Providing three-times weekly access between Calgary and one of the fastest-growing U.S. cities, WestJet will give Western Canadians seamless access to a thriving business hub, home to leading companies in healthcare, education and technology;
Salt Lake City, Utah: In addition to providing non-stop access to Utah’s scenic landscapes, WestJet’s new five-times weekly service between Edmonton and Salt Lake City will be monumental for business and leisure travellers.
In addition, WestJet will significantly grow Western Canada’s summer connectivity to Florida, introducing four new routes to the sunshine state.
Transborder summer schedule highlights
Route
Frequency
Start date
End date
Summer service change
Calgary-Raleigh- Durham
3x weekly
June 9
October 13
New destination
Calgary- Anchorage
2x weekly
June 29
September 7
New destination
Calgary- Minneapolis
4x weekly
May 16
September 3
New route
Calgary-Fort Lauderdale
1x weekly
Year-round service
Winter service extension
Calgary-Tampa
1x weekly
Year-round service
Winter service extension
Edmonton-Salt Lake City
5x weekly
May 15
October 24
New destination
Edmonton- Chicago
3x weekly
June 4
October 22
New route
Vancouver- Boston
Daily
June 9
October 13
New route
Vancouver – Tampa
1x weekly
June 14
October 25
New route
Winnipeg- Orlando
1x weekly
Year-round service
Winter extension
Kelowna-Seattle
7x weekly
Year-round service
Winter extension
WestJet builds trade and tourism potential with enhanced access to Delta hubs
WestJet is growing transborder service by 11 per cent this summer, operating to 29 airports with over 900 weekly departures, and continuing to enhance its connectivity from across Canada to Delta Air Line’s major U.S. hubs. Through WestJet’s longstanding partnership with Delta, guests connecting through Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York City, Salt Lake City and Seattle will gain access to a vast network of U.S. destinations on a single purchased ticket with check-in for all flights at first departure, baggage tagged to their final destination and lounge access for select guests.
Continued expansion to Europe and Asia
Growing its transatlantic service from Eastern Canada, WestJet will introduce non-stop connectivity between St. John’s and Paris and welcome back service between Halifax and Paris and St. John’s and Dublin, this summer. Additionally, WestJet will enhance its existing transatlantic connectivity, beginning its service between Halifax and Edinburgh and Dublin one month earlier than 2024, while increasing St. John’s previous service to London (Gatwick) from three-times weekly to four-times weekly.
Growing its global hub’s transpacific service, WestJet will maintain its daily service to Tokyo this summer, while increasing Calgary’s capacity serving Incheon.
Route
Frequency
Start date
End date
Summer service change
Transatlantic
St. John’s – Paris
1x weekly
May 18
October 19
New route
St. John’s – Dublin
2x weekly
May 22
October 23
Returning route
St. John’s – London (Gatwick)
4x weekly
April 28
October 25
Increase frequency
Halifax – Paris
4x weekly
May 16
October 25
Returning route
Halifax – Edinburgh
3x weekly
May 15
October 14
Service extension
Halifax – Dublin
4x weekly
May 20
October 13
Service extension
Transpacific
Calgary – Incheon
4x weekly
March 31
October 19
Increase frequency
Planning for growth
The acquisition of nine leased Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, along with Swoop and Sunwing planes, allows the airline to bolster its strategic fleet growth, while managing delays for direct-from-factory aircraft. Updating and refreshing the interior cabins of all of these aircraft will be prioritized as part of the airline’s existing fleet reconfiguration plans, to ensure a consistent experience for guests across its operation as soon as possible.
To support the ongoing schedule enhancements across its growing network, WestJet has recently reaffirmed its commitment to providing world-class reliable air travel all year long. To learn more about the enhancements being made to fortify WestJet’s operational resiliency, visit the WestJet Newsroom.
Additional quotes
“We are thrilled to continue enhancing connectivity for guests travelling through YYC Calgary International Airport with WestJet’s new routes and increased service to a number of exciting destinations,” said Balázs Bogats, Chief Commercial Officer for The Calgary Airport Authority. “These additions create more opportunities for travellers to explore new sights and experiences, while bringing greater access to Calgary, the Rocky Mountains and Western Canada. Our close partnership with WestJet enables us to deliver exceptional travel experiences and support future growth for our community and region.”
“We are thrilled to welcome WestJet’s new service between Anchorage and Calgary. This route strengthens our connection to Canada, offering travelers more convenience and opportunities to explore everything both Anchorage and Calgary have to offer. WestJet’s commitment to this market reflects the growing demand for seamless travel options, and we are proud to support this expansion. Anchorage International Airport is dedicated to fostering connections that benefit our community, our economy, and the region as a whole. We look forward to a successful partnership with WestJet and encourage travelers to take advantage of this exciting new service,” said Angie Spear, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Director.
“We’re excited to welcome RDU’s first nonstop route to Calgary on Canadian airline WestJet,” said Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. “This new seasonal service offers Triangle travelers convenient opportunities to visit the Rockies in Western Canada and easily connect to WestJet’s comprehensive network of Canadian and international destinations.”
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 14,000 employees, 200 aircraft, and more than 100 destinations in 25 countries.
For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.
