CALGARY — WestJet is boosting its network with dozens of new flights added to its 2016-2017 winter schedule.
The airline confirmed that nonstop service to London Gatwick from Calgary and Toronto will continue to operate on year-round basis through the winter. In total WestJet will operate an average of 642 daily flights to 95 destinations this winter including 36 in Canada, 25 in the U.S. and 34 in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and Europe.
“WestJet has been Canada’s low-fare leader for 20 years with a proven track record of bringing safe, affordable and stress-free air travel to communities across the country,” said Bob Cummings, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Commercial. “The addition of dozens of new flights demonstrates our commitment to invest in communities and serve Canadians now and in the future, a commitment backed by our established, trusted brand and caring, people-driven service.”
Highlights from WestJet’s 2016-2017 winter schedule include:
. New flights from Toronto to a number of Canadian and international destinations including Vancouver, Ottawa, Moncton, Myrtle Beach, Aruba, Kingston (Jamaica), San Jose and Liberia (Costa Rica), Port of Spain and St. Martin.
. An increase of 41 new weekly flights between Vancouver and Kelowna, Prince George, Toronto, Honolulu, Cancun, Cabo San Lucas and Los Angeles.
. New nonstop weekly service between Regina and Orlando starting Oct. 27.
. 19 new flights per week from Kelowna to Vancouver and two additional weekly flights to Calgary.
. Increased service from Halifax with seven additional weekly flights to Sydney, NS, and daily flights added this summer scheduled to continue through the winter.
. Extension of existing seasonal services through the winter, including Vancouver-Montreal, and Toronto to Gander, Nashville, Los Angeles and Brandon.
. Additional flights from Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon and Winnipeg to domestic and international destinations.
WestJet posted its 45th consecutive profitable quarter with its Q2 results, even though net earnings were down 38% from $61.6 million in Q2 2015 to $36.7 million in Q2 2016. The airline flew a record 5.3 million guests for the quarter.
“Despite the continuing economic weakness in Alberta, I am very pleased with the positive momentum we are seeing in our business including strengthening topline revenue growth,” said WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky. “Our fundamentals remain strong, as highlighted by our recent US$400 million investment grade unsecured notes offering, and we are confident that the strategic initiatives we are pursuing position us for continued profitable growth.”
