News Releases

WestJet announces largest increase in service to Halifax since first landing in 2003

CALGARY, Jan. 19, 2015 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced the largest increase in service from Halifax Stanfield International Airport since the airline first arrived in February 2003. This announcement, part of the 2015 summer schedule release, makes it official – WestJet Encore is now serving Canadians coast to coast.

"Halifax is at the core of our service increase across Atlantic Canada, now marking WestJet Encore's presence from coast to coast," said Ferio Pugliese, President, WestJet Encore. "Within two years of the launch of WestJet Encore, and with the support of our guests and the hard work of WestJetters across the country, we will have grown from two aircraft serving five cities in Western Canada to 16 aircraft serving more than 20 destinations across Canada. Our research shows that in the twelve months after the launch of WestJet Encore in to new markets, traffic rose as high as 55 per cent while fares decreased as much as 40 per cent. It illustrates the value we are bringing to Canadians."

"Our current reach means we are bringing lower fares and more choices for air travel to more communities. As we continue to foster a competitive market with high-value, low-fare options and strong connectivity to the wider WestJet network, Canadians can expect great things in 2015 from Canada's fastest-growing airline," concluded Pugliese.

"It's always a wonderful day when we can expand our air service here at Halifax Stanfield," says Joyce Carter, Halifax International Airport Authority President and CEO. "This commitment by WestJet is an expression of their confidence in Halifax and all of Atlantic Canada."

The airline continues to bolster its presence in the Atlantic Provinces where the majority of route and frequency increases announced today take place. New non-stop daily service from Halifax to Gander and Deer Lake, Newfoundland and Sydney, Nova Scotia begins July 15, 2015, along with increased frequency between Halifax and Ottawa, Toronto and St. John's, Newfoundland. Cities currently served from Halifax include Calgary, Edmonton, Hamilton, Ontario, and six U.S. and international destinations.

Haligonians will also help WestJet celebrate new service between their fair city and Glasgow, United Kingdom, beginning May 29, 2015. As the halfway point between Europe and the west coast of North America, Halifax is the perfect jumping-off point for a tour across the pond.

Details of new daily non-stop service between Halifax and Glasgow, United Kingdom:

Details of new daily non-stop service between Halifax and Gander:

Details of new daily non-stop service between Halifax and Deer Lake:

Details of new additional non-stop service between Halifax and Sydney:

Two-day low introductory fares starting at:

*Book by January 20, 2015, on select days. Some restrictions apply. Please see westjet.com/newdestinations for details.

Low introductory fares to Europe starting at:

*Some restrictions apply.  Please see westjet.com for full details.

About WestJet
We are proud to be Canada's most-preferred airline, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers. We offer scheduled service to more than 90 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Through our regional airline, WestJet Encore, and with partnerships with airlines representing every major region of the world, we offer our guests more than 120 destinations in more than 20 countries. Leveraging WestJet's extensive network, flight schedule and remarkable guest experience, WestJet Vacations delivers affordable, flexible travel experiences with a variety of accommodation options for every guest. Members of our WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Our members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of WestJet flights and vacations packages on any day, at any time, to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods – even on seat sales. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.  

Recent recognition includes:
2015 Best Employers in Canada (Aon Hewitt)
2014 Interbrand Canada's Best Canadian Brands (Rank #20)
2014 Brands of the Year (Strategy magazine)
2014 Canada's Most Preferred Airline (Ipsos)
2014 Value Airline of the Year (Air Transport World magazine)
2014/2013/2012 Canada's Most Attractive Employer (Randstad)
2014/2013 WestJet RBC MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (Money Sense magazine and RewardsCanada.ca) 
2013 Highest equity score: airline, vacation package supplier brands (Harris/Decima EquiTrend Study)

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SOURCE WestJet