“Another positive step”: WestJet to restore 17 sun routes this winter

WestJet has announced the return of 17 sun routes to its network this winter.

The restored flights, which were suspended for more than two years, bring more options for Canadians and communities across the airline's network.

"The restart of these routes is another positive step in the restoration our network as we solidify WestJet as the reliable, friendly and affordable airline we are known to be," said John Weatherill, WestJet’s executive vice-president and CEO. "We recognize the past three winters have been disruptive to our guests travel plans and we look forward to reconnecting Canadians to some of the warmer destinations they have missed the most."

The airline on Monday (Aug. 8) also announced new six-times weekly regional service between Penticton, B.C., and Vancouver beginning on Feb. 17, 2023 on WestJet Link along with the restart of domestic connectivity between Edmonton and Nanaimo, B.C.

Highlights

Sun and Leisure, Transborder and Transatlantic:

• Restart of 17 sun and leisure routes suspended since 2019
• 45 per cent increase to sun and leisure flights from winter 2021
• 60 per cent increase in transborder flights from winter 2021
• 25 per cent increase in transatlantic flights from winter 2021

WestJet's investments in sun, transborder and leisure flying are growing across the country with: 

• A 50 per cent increase in flights from Central/Eastern Canada from winter 2021
• A 55 per cent increase in flights from Western Canada from winter 2021

Network-wide:

• 65 per cent increase in flights to/from Winnipeg (YWG) from winter 2021
• 50 per cent increase in flights to/from Edmonton (YEG) from winter 2021
• 35 per cent increase in flights to/from Vancouver (YVR) from winter 2021
• 30 per cent increase in flights to/from Calgary (YYC) from winter 2021
• 10 per cent increase in flights to/from Toronto (YYZ) from winter 2021

Domestic:

• New domestic connection between Vancouver and Penticton, B.C., on WestJet Link
• Restart of Edmonton-Nanaimo route suspended since 2019
• 25 per cent overall increase in flights network-wide domestically from winter 2021

Transborder Restarts:

Carribean, Mexico, Central American Restarts:

Domestic Routes:

The update comes as WestJet makes changes that are part of a strategic focus to concentrate more resources in Western Canada.

Recently, the airline announced that, effective Nov. 15, 2022, service will be suspended in Fredericton, N.B., Sydney, N.S., Charlottetown, P.E.I., and Quebec City, QC.

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