CALGARY — WestJet is doubling down on its growth strategy out of Calgary, announcing its first-ever destination in Asia as well as new routes to Europe for summer 2023.

The new 787 Dreamliner routes from Calgary International Airport (YYC) include Tokyo, Japan, with 3x/weekly seasonal service beginning April 30, 2023 to Narita International Airport. WestJet will be the only airline providing transpacific service to Asia direct from Alberta.

In addition, the airline is increasing connectivity between Western Canada and Europe with new service between YYC and Barcelona, Spain and Edinburgh, Scotland, along with increased frequencies on existing European routes.

In total, WestJet’s 787 flying from Calgary will see the airline take flight to eight transoceanic destinations in 2023. With 40 weekly departures scheduled to maximize connecting capacity across 24 Western Canadian communities, WestJet will offer more options for both leisure and business passengers alike.

“This is an exciting day for the WestJet Group, our guests, and partners as we deliver on our new strategy and demonstrate our western focus as we increase our Calgary capacity by more than 25% in 2023,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet Group Chief Executive Officer. “Starting with the expansion of our intercontinental routes, future announcements will focus on domestic and North American additions that will bring even more affordable travel options to our guests in the new year.

“With Calgary as home base to our 787 aircraft, access between western Canadian communities and these intercontinental destinations will play a vital role in creating an economically prosperous aviation pipeline that better connects Canadians to the world and the world to Western Canada,” he added.

TOKYO, JAPAN

The new Tokyo service will kick off April 30 from Calgary at 18:55. According to WestJet, Tokyo was a natural choice for its first destination in Asia, as it offers connectivity to more than 50 destinations across the continent.

“The Government of Alberta congratulates Calgary and WestJet, and believes this is a major announcement for our province. Alberta is opening more to the world. We are excited to see the agreement from October result in billions of new investment come into Calgary, said Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta. “New routes are opening our province to major cities throughout the globe. We look forward to more good news like this in the future and remain committed to growing Alberta’s aviation and tourism sector in the future.”

EUROPE

WestJet will bolster its European presence between Calgary and six transatlantic destinations next summer by adding increased frequency on existing popular European routes, and welcoming new nonstop service to Edinburgh and Barcelona.

Service from Calgary to both Barcelona and Edinburgh will operate seasonally from May to October, up to 3x/weekly. With the addition of its newest routes, WestJet will offer service to six European cities, increasing capacity by 95% with flights to London Heathrow and Gatwick, Paris, Rome and Dublin.

WestJet’s summer 787 service to Europe includes:

• Calgary-Barcelona, starting May 6, 2023, 3x/weekly
• Calgary-Edinburgh, starting May 17, 2023, 3x/weekly
• Calgary-London Heathrow, continued from winter, 7x/weekly
• Calgary-London Gatwick, starting April 30, 2023, 7x/weekly
• Calgary-Paris, continued from winter, 7x/weekly
• Calgary-Rome, starting April 6, 2023, 5x/weekly
• Calgary-Dublin, starting April 30, 2023, 5x/weekly

Today’s news follows on the heels of WestJet’s announcement last month that it has enhanced its codeshare agreement with Japan Airlines, putting its WS code on Japan Airlines-operated flights between YVR and Narita International Airport in Tokyo.