WestJet sweetens up summer schedule

[234james]

WestJet today announced plans to connect two long-standing WestJet destinations with the addition of service between Winnipeg and Abbotsford. WestJet today also announced 21 incremental flights across the network that will serve both business and leisure travellers. Starting April 30, 2017, WestJet will add Abbotsford as its 13th non-stop destination from Winnipeg and will increase frequency on routes to Edmonton and Hamilton. WestJet has served Abbotsford since 1997 and Winnipeg since 1996.
The airline will increase its number of non-stop flights between Abbotsford and Edmonton from 13 per week to 20 and service between Winnipeg and Edmonton will increase from 21 flights per week to 24 beginning April 30. Daily service between Winnipeg and Hamilton begins May 1. With these additions, WestJet will operate 60 weekly departures from Abbotsford and 204 departures from Winnipeg by May 2017, reinforcing WestJet’s position as the number one air carrier in both these markets.
“WestJet has built its reputation as Canada’s low-fare leader since 1996 and these flights further solidify this position,” said Brian Znotins, WestJet Vice-President, Network Planning, Corporate Development and Alliances. “WestJet has proudly and consistently served the people of Abbotsford, the lower mainland and Winnipeg for more than 20 years while many other airlines have come and gone. Our reputation as Canada’s low-fare leader is a position we will maintain as competition increases. We are pleased to connect two important WestJet markets this summer.”
“WestJet’s growth in Abbotsford is great news for our city, as our population continues to grow at record rates in the Fraser Valley,” said Henry Braun, Abbotsford Mayor. “These new routes will ensure we continue to attract business investment and employment opportunities to the communities east of the Fraser. Cross-country routes solidify our international airport’s role as a regional hub and as an integral part of the provincial transportation network.”
“More air travel options for Winnipeg is always welcome news,” said Pascal Bélanger, Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer for the Winnipeg Airports Authority. “Today’s announcement is a reflection of our growing partnership with WestJet and gives our community more options as we head into the busy summer travel season.”
The airline also announced it will increase seasonal capacity on a number of other existing routes. Starting May 2, Edmonton and Hamilton will add six weekly flights for a total of 10 and on May 6, flights between Hamilton and Halifax will increase from seven to eight weekly flights. All flights will be operated on board WestJet’s Boeing 737 aircraft featuring Plus seating and WestJet Connect, WestJet’s inflight entertainment system accessed directly through smartphones, tablets or computers. Almost 75 per cent of WestJet’s Boeing fleet is equipped with WestJet Connect.
All flights provide WestJet Rewards members the opportunity to earn WestJet dollars to be used towards the payment of a WestJet-marketed flight or a WestJet Vacations package (excluding taxes, fees and charges).