WestJet’s regional airline to begin service to Vancouver, October 27
CALGARY, Aug. 12, 2019 /CNW/ – WestJet today announced that its regional airline, WestJet Link, will begin operating nonstop flights between Vancouver and Cranbrook, B.C., on October 27, 2019.
WestJet Link announces new route between Vancouver and Cranbrook, B.C. (CNW Group/WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership)
“This new route linking interior British Columbia with our Vancouver hub provides convenient travel options between the two areas and gives our guests in Cranbrook access to a second WestJet hub with connections across our entire network,” said Brian Znotins, WestJet Vice-President Network Planning and Alliances. “WestJet is now providing the City of Cranbrook with the most flights and options to travel easily across the country and beyond.”
With the addition of Vancouver-Cranbrook, WestJet Link will now operate six routes including Calgary to Cranbrook, Lethbridge, Prince George, Lloydminster and Medicine Hat.
“We are delighted to welcome WestJet Link’s daily service from Vancouver to Cranbrook,” said Anne Murray, Vice President, Airline Business Development and Public Affairs, Vancouver Airport Authority. “As Canada’s second busiest airport, Vancouver International Airport proudly links passengers to cities in British Columbia, North America and around the world. WestJet Link’s route to Cranbrook connects customers to a great B.C. destination and drives economic benefits for our region.”
“The expansion of WestJet’s service, now linking the Kootenay Rockies to both WestJet’s Calgary and Vancouver hubs is a fantastic boost to our inbound visitor economy, while providing a robust global network of travel options for the Kootenay Region,” said Tristen Chernove, CEO of Elevate Airports Inc. and Canadian Rockies International Airport Manager. “The Canadian Rockies International Airport is driven to be the strongest economic catalyst possible for our region and WestJet’s growing air service is helping us reach our goals. We’re excited to see this new service coming in October and look forward to sharing a bright future of success with WestJet at YXC.”
All WestJet Link flights are operated through a capacity purchase agreement with Pacific Coastal by using its fleet of 34-seat Saab 340B aircraft. Each aircraft includes six seats available in WestJet Premium, offering guests advanced boarding, no-charge for two checked bags and seating at the front of the aircraft.
Details of WestJet Link’s service between Vancouver and Cranbrook:
Airline continues to provide more choice and connectivity to Cranbrook, Lethbridge, Lloydminster, Medicine Hat and Prince George regions
CALGARY, June 20, 2019 /CNW/ – WestJet’s newest air service, WestJet Link is celebrating carrying more than 195,000 guests in its first year of operation between Calgary and five cities in British Columbia and Alberta.
WestJet Link (CNW Group/WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership)
Since its inception last June, WestJet Link has operated over 7,000 flights between WestJet’s home and largest hub in Calgary to Cranbrook, Lethbridge, Lloydminster, Medicine Hat and Prince George. Guests from these areas have benefitted from more choice, lower fares and better connectivity through the service.
WestJet Link in Calgary (CNW Group/WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership)
“WestJet Link is working the way it was designed to give guests convenient access to the WestJet network along with a caring experience from start to finish,” said Brian Znotins, WestJet Vice-President Network Planning and Alliances. “We’re thrilled to celebrate its successful first year of service and thank our loyal guests in these communities for choosing WestJet Link to take them to Calgary or beyond. We look forward to operating many more flights together alongside our partners at Pacific Coastal.”
WestJet Link is operated through a capacity purchase agreement with Pacific Coastal Airlines using its fleet of WestJet-branded 34-seat Saab 340B aircraft. Each aircraft includes six seats available in WestJet Premium, offering guests advanced boarding, no-charge for two checked bags and seating at the front of the aircraft.
“We are proud to operate these connecting flights under our Capacity Purchase Agreement with WestJet and are excited to be celebrating the first anniversary,” said Quentin Smith, President of Pacific Coastal Airlines.
“Congratulations to WestJet Link and Pacific Coastal Airlines on a very successful first year of connecting more guests through YYC to their destination,” said Michael Hayward, Vice President, Marketing and Guest Experience, The Calgary Airport Authority. “The frequency and comfort of the flights builds on the successful strategic relationship between WestJet and our airport.”
WestJet continues to offer more flights than any other airline to more destinations from Calgary with an average of 975 flights per week to 67 non-stop destinations.
Additional Quotes: “We are delighted that WestJet Link has been a success and continues to grow in our community,” said LethbridgeMayor, Chris Spearman. “Air passenger traffic has increased by 80 per cent in the last 12 months and this is due in large part to the addition of services from WestJet Link. The Lethbridge Airport is an important economic driver for our region and we welcome the additional travel options our residents now have and appreciate WestJet as a key partner in the future success of our airport.”
“We are thrilled to celebrate with WestJet on their first anniversary in Medicine Hat,” said Ted Clugston, Mayor of the City of Medicine Hat. “The airline has provided numerous opportunities for our residents and the business community. WestJet has been a fantastic addition to our community. We are looking forward to many more years of service.”
“We are delighted with the service that WestJet Link has brought to our airport and region, and the exciting connections that our passengers can now make through WestJet’s Calgary hub,” said John Gibson, President and CEO of Prince George Airport.
“Since WestJet began serving the Kootenay Rockies Region at YXC one year ago, we’ve seen rapid acceleration toward our growth goals in tourism, business and economic development in general,” said Canadian Rockies International Airport Manager, Tristen Chernove. “It’s been terrific to see how well utilized the service has been right from the start and we are very excited to see what the future brings as WestJet and the Kootenay Rockies reach toward their potential.”
Pacific Coastal Airlines A privately owned, British Columbia-based regional airline operating from Vancouver International Airport’s South Terminal (YVR), Pacific Coastal is the third largest airline at YVR in annual takeoffs and landings. It flies to 15 airports and connects to more than 50 destinations in the province, from as far east as Cranbrook in the Rocky Mountains and as far north as Prince George and Masset on the legendary island of Haida Gwaii.
About WestJet Together with WestJet’s regional airline, WestJet Encore, we offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in over 20 countries through our airline partnerships. WestJet Vacations offers affordable, flexible vacations to more than 60 destinations and the choice of more than 800 hotels, resorts, condos and villas. Members of the WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of flights and vacations packages to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods, and have access to Member Exclusive fares offering deals to WestJet destinations throughout our network and those of our partner airlines.
WestJet is proud to be recognized for three consecutive years as Best Airline in Canada (2017-19) and awarded among travellers’ favourite Mid-Sized Airlines in North America (2019). From 2017-2018, WestJet was also awarded among travellers’ favorite Mid-Sized and Low-Cost Airlines in North America. The airline was also recognized among the Economy Class winners in North America, 2018. All awards are based on authentic reviews from the travelling public on TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site. We are one of very few airlines globally that does not commercially overbook.
WestJet is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol WJA. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.
Recent recognition includes: 2019/2018/2017 Best Airline in Canada (TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards for Airlines) 2019 Winner Among Mid-Sized Airlines in North America (TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards for Airlines) 2018/2017 Winner Among Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines – North America (TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards for Airlines) 2018 Winner – Economy, North America (TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards for Airlines) 2018 Number-One-Ranked Airline Credit Card in Canada (Rewards Canada) 2018 North America’s Best Low-Cost Airline (Skytrax) 2018/2017/2016 Canada’s Most Trusted Airline (Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)
Over 82,000 guests choose Canada’s favourite airline for their holiday travel on Friday, Dec. 21
CALGARY, Dec. 21, 2018 /CNW/ – As the busy holiday travel season continues, WestJet today set a new record for guests flown in a single day for the fourth time this year. The group, including WestJet, WestJet Encore, Swoop and WestJet Link flew 82,618 guests, surpassing the previous record of 80,219 guests set on August 7, 2018.
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“On behalf of the WestJet Group, thank you to our guests for choosing to fly us for their holiday travel,” said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. “WestJet employees from across our network extend best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season.”
For tips on how to best navigate the busy Christmas travel season, please visit the WestJet Blog.
CALGARY, Oct. 9, 2018 /CNW/ – Today WestJet announced September 2018 traffic results with a load factor of 79.2 per cent, a decrease of 1.2 percentage points year over year. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 9.7 per cent year over year, while capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 11.3 per cent over the same period. WestJet welcomed an additional 137,000 guests in September, a year-over-year increase of 7.1 per cent. Year-to-date traffic growth continues to outpace capacity additions.
“We are pleased with our strong year-over-year traffic growth as we flew close to 7 million guests and attained our second highest ever load factor for the quarter. During the month of September, we also achieved the best operational completion rate in North America on our WestJet mainline business,” said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. “As we transition through our shoulder period into the busy winter season, I want to thank every individual WestJetter for continuing to provide our guests with an award-winning service experience.”
September 2018 traffic results
September 2018
September 2017
Change
Load factor
79.2%
80.4%
-1.2 pts.
ASMs (billions)
2.769
2.488
11.3%
RPMs (billions)
2.192
1.999
9.7%
Third Quarter 2018
Third Quarter 2017
Change
Load factor
84.6%
85.7%
-1.1 pts.
ASMs (billions)
8.880
8.077
9.9%
RPMs (billions)
7.517
6.922
8.6%
Year to Date 2018
Year to Date 2017
Change
Load factor
84.5%
83.9%
0.6 pts.
ASMs (billions)
24.831
23.339
6.4%
RPMs (billions)
20.972
19.575
7.1%
Note: All statistics are at a consolidated WestJet group level
CALGARY, Aug. 7, 2018 /CNW/ – The WestJet Group of Companies today set a company record for guests flown in a single day, flying an estimated 80,219 guests across its expanding network. This surpasses the previous record of 79,961 set on December 22, 2017.
“The WestJet Group continues to grow our guest numbers as our strategic plan is executed,” said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. “We continue to expand our connectivity while providing more choice for Canadian travellers. Thank you to our 13,000 WestJetters for their part in our success and thank you to our guests for choosing WestJet, WestJet Encore, WestJet Link and Swoop for their summer travel plans.”
CALGARY, June 20, 2018 /CNW/ – Today WestJet inaugurated its new regional airline service, WestJet Link, from Cranbrook and Prince George to Calgary. Service starts from Lethbridge and Lloydminster to Calgary on June 21 and Medicine Hat to Calgary on June 22. Overall, WestJet Link connects five new cities to WestJet’s growing hub at the YYC Calgary International Airport.
“This is a great day for the communities who now benefit from WestJet’s non-stop service and convenient connectivity to the WestJet network,” said Tim Croyle, WestJet Interim Executive Vice-President, Commercial. “WestJet continues to offer Canadians more travel options and WestJet Link brings more choice, lower fares and WestJet’s renowned guest service to these five communities.”
These new routes add to WestJet’s existing leadership position in Calgary, offering more flights and seats to more destinations than any other airline with an average of 147 daily departures to 49 destinations.
“We’d like to congratulate our partner on their addition of WestJet Link, which will increase connectivity opportunities for their guests out of YYC Calgary International Airport,” said Bob Sartor, President and CEO of The Calgary Airport Authority. “These additional routes throughout Western Canada, will provide greater air access to those in our smaller regional communities through WestJet’s largest hub.”
All WestJet Link flights are operated by Pacific Coastal using its fleet of 34-seat Saab 340B aircraft. Each aircraft includes six seats available in WestJet Plus, offering guests advanced boarding, no-charge for two checked bags and seating at the front of the aircraft.
“Pacific Coastal Airlines is proud to become part of the WestJet family through the launch of WestJet Link,” said Quentin Smith, President, Pacific Coastal Airlines. “This is a great partnership between two Western Canadian airlines that share similar corporate values and a customer-focused approach to doing business. Together, we will work to provide better connectivity and offer more transportation options for the people and the communities we serve.”
CALGARY