WestJet unveils comprehensive summer schedule, strengthening connectivity with 10 per cent growth in seat capacity across its network

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.

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SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership

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