WestJet has announced it's restarting service to 17 sun and leisure routes suspended during pandemic to destinations across the Caribbean, Mexico and U.S.
The returning routes, which were suspended for more than two years, bring enhanced connectivity and vacation 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 Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer.
"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."
Highlights from WestJet's winter schedule release:
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:
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- A 50% increase in flights from Central/Eastern Canada from winter 2021
- A 55% 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
Transborder Restarts:
Route | Restart Date | Peak Frequency | Operated By |
Kelowna – Phoenix | 16NOV 2022 | 1x Weekly | WestJet |
Saskatoon – Las Vegas | 10NOV 2022 | 2x Weekly | WestJet |
Saskatoon – Orlando* | 16DEC 2022 | 1x Weekly | WestJet |
Regina – Las Vegas | 10NOV 2022 | 2x Weekly | WestJet |
Regina – Orlando | 16DEC 2022 | 1x Weekly | WestJet |
Vancouver – Orlando | 12NOV 2022 | 1x Weekly | WestJet |
Winnipeg – Phoenix | 31OCT 2022 | 2x Weekly | WestJet |
St. John's – Tampa Bay | 19MAR 2023 | 1x Weekly | WestJet |
*Operated on very limited basis in 2021 |
Carribean, Mexico, Central American Restarts:
Route | Restart Date | Peak Frequency | Operated By |
Calgary – Belize City | 18NOV 2022 | 1x Weekly | WestJet |
Calgary – Nassau | 26NOV 2022 | 1x weekly | WestJet |
Calgary – Varadero | 05NOV 2022 | 1x Weekly | WestJet |
Comox – Puerto Vallarta | 05NOV 2022 | 1x Weekly | WestJet |
Ottawa – Montego Bay | 12NOV 2022 | 2x Weekly | WestJet |
Regina – Cancun* | 13NOV 2022 | 2x Weekly | WestJet |
Toronto – Cayo Coco | 05NOV 2022 | 1x Weekly | WestJet |
Toronto – Samana | 17DEC 2022 | 1x Weekly | WestJet |
Winnipeg – Montego Bay | 17DEC 2022 | 1x Weekly | WestJet |