WestJet’s Exit: How Barbados and Puerto Plata Will Be Affected by 2025

In a new update to its reservation system, WestJet has announced the suspension of its flights to Barbados (BGI) and Puerto Plata (POP), Dominican Republic, starting in April 2025. These destinations had been served for over a decade, operated from Toronto (YYZ) using Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 737-800 aircraft.

Ads

Flights to Puerto Plata, launched in December 2007, began as seasonal winter operations and later expanded into year-round service. Following the COVID-19 crisis, WestJet restricted these flights to specific seasons until resuming year-round service in 2024.

According to the latest update, the last flight to Puerto Plata will take place on April 25, 2025. Following this suspension, Air Transat will remain the only airline connecting Puerto Plata with Canada, offering regular flights to Toronto and Montreal, while Sunwing will continue to operate charter services.

Barbados, on the other hand, has been part of WestJet’s network since late 2008. The service began as seasonal and became year-round in 2010. However, following the pandemic, flights returned to seasonal operations until resuming year-round service in 2024. WestJet plans to suspend its flights to the island on April 26, 2025. Going forward, Air Canada will be the sole operator offering direct flights between Canada and the Caribbean island.

WestJet’s impact on both destinations

With this decision, the airline leaves a gap, as it had been transporting around 60,000 passengers annually between Canada and Barbados. Canada is the third most important market for tourism in Barbados, especially during the peak cruise season.

Ads

As for Puerto Plata, which has relied on connections with Canada to attract visitors, being the second most important market, it will also see a reduction in air service. WestJet was moving approximately 19,000 passengers annually.