WestJet has announced major expansion plans in Canada, including the resumption of the direct route between St. John’s and London, along with an increase in its intercontinental operations.
Powered by the growing fleet of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, the Canadian airline will expand its services to the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Iceland. Additionally, it has reorganized the operational base of its Boeing 787 Dreamliner, resulting in increased frequencies and the introduction of exclusive service between Calgary and Tokyo.
Resumption of St. John’s-Gatwick Service
Following key meetings with political leaders, members of the business community, and stakeholders, WestJet announced the resumption of international service between St. John’s and London. The route will operate three times a week from May to October, heading to Gatwick International Airport (LGW).
The Vice President of Foreign Affairs at WestJet, Andrew Gibbons, stated: «Serving our valuable Atlantic communities, partners, and guests, the WestJet Group takes pride in closing the critical gap in air accessibility for the province, providing non-stop connectivity to one of Europe’s most popular travel hubs.»
«Today’s announcement reaffirms our commitment to the city of St. John’s and the surrounding region as we fulfill our promise to strengthen leisure travel and round-trip tourism options in eastern Canada,» he added.
New Flight to Reykjavik
WestJet will commence flights between Calgary, Alberta, and Reykjavik, Iceland, starting from May 16, 2024. The airline will operate four weekly flights, enhancing the current interline agreement it maintains with Icelandair.
WestJet passengers will be able to interconnect the networks of both airlines and purchase tickets for multiple legs on a single ticket, allowing a single boarding pass with the convenience of unified check-in and baggage tagged and checked through to the final destination.
John Weatherill, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of the WestJet Group, expressed: «Today’s announcement underscores our commitment to affordably connect Canadians from coast to coast with some of the world’s most popular destinations.»
«As we continue to expand our growth story, we are not only providing increased accessibility for Canadians but also fostering crucial connectivity between communities and driving economic growth through incoming leisure and business travel,» he added.
Weatherill noted that the airline will closely monitor recent volcanic activity that has put Iceland on alert.
Increased Frequencies to Japan and Europe
WestJet also announced the opening of new connections from Halifax and Toronto to the United Kingdom and Ireland. The increased demand for leisure, business, and cargo travel has prompted the airline to create new routes for summer of 2024.
This increase in connections from Calgary positions the Alberta city as a bidirectional gateway in western Canada. WestJet will add a weekly flight to Rome, Barcelona, and Edinburgh, while the service to Tokyo will become daily.
Regarding routes to Paris, London, and Dublin, the airline will continue with the scheduling from the summer of 2023.
«London is calling, and we are on our way! We have worked hard to re-establish a direct connection with Europe, and Newfoundland and Labrador welcome the broad benefits, from our highly lucrative tourism industry to our business and commercial markets,» said the Honorable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.
«I extend my thanks to WestJet for recognizing the potential in our province and to the St. John’s International Airport Authority for their dedicated efforts in developing air services. John’s. I hope this route is a success,» added Furey.
Joyce Carter, President, and CEO of the Halifax International Airport Authority, expressed: «WestJet has been connecting Halifax Stanfield with key European destinations for several years, and we are delighted that they plan to reintroduce three non-stop transatlantic routes next summer. Dublin and London Gatwick were popular routes in the past, both for Atlantic Canadians and Europeans, and we are thrilled to add Edinburgh to our route map in 2024.»
«We are excited that WestJet is reintroducing transatlantic flights from Toronto to Dublin and Edinburgh,» said Khalil Lamrabet, Chief Commercial Officer of the Greater Toronto Airport Authority. «The additional flights to these beautiful and historic cities will offer our passengers an expanded option when traveling to Ireland and Scotland.»
| Origin | Destination | Start | Frequency 2024 | Frequency 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary | Reikiavik | May 15 | 4 weekly | New |
| Calgary | Tokyo | April 3 | Diario | 3 weekly |
| Calgary | Rome | March 16 | 6 weekly | 5 weekly |
| Calgary | Barcelona | April 30 | 4 weekly | 3 weekly |
| Calgary | Paris | May 12 | 4 weekly | 3 weekly |
| Calgary | Dublin | April 29 | 5 weekly | 5 weekly |
| Halifax | Dublin | June 19 | 4 weekly | New |
| Halifax | Edimburg | June 20 | 3 weekly | New |
| Halifax | London Gawick | April 29 | 4 weekly | New |
| Toronto | Dublin | March 1 | Diario | New |
| Toronto | Edimburg | May 14 | Diario | New |
| St. John's | London Gawick | May 1 | 3 weekly | Suspended |
