News Releases

Canada's most-preferred airline operates its inaugural flight to the U.K.

CALGARY, May 29, 2015 /CNW/ - WestJet today launches non-stop daily service between Halifax and Glasgow, Scotland, with same-aircraft service beginning in Toronto. The inaugural flight on WestJet's #TartanTail leaves Toronto Pearson tonight at 6:10 p.m. EDT with a brief stop at Halifax Stanfield International Airport, before departing for Glasgow at 10:45 p.m. ADT.

"Today's launch of service to the U.K. marks the start of another exciting chapter in the history of WestJet," said Gregg Saretsky, WestJet President and CEO. "As Canada's low-fare leader for nearly 20 years, we have dedicated ourselves to liberating Canadians from the high cost of air travel. With our service to Ireland and the U.K., we are making it more affordable than ever before to travel overseas, whether for business or leisure. As we prepare to take delivery of our first Boeing 767-300ER aircraft in July, this overseas experience continues to position us to be a truly global carrier in the years to come."

Guests flying with WestJet to Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, land at 8 a.m. local time, offering opportunities to connect via 30 airlines to more than 100 non-stop and connecting destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australia. Glasgow is Scotland's principal long-haul airport as well as its largest charter hub. It is also well placed to explore the romantic west coast islands and Scotland's abundance of golf courses, lochs and mountains.

Details of new same-aircraft service between Toronto and Glasgow:

Details of new non-stop service between Halifax and Glasgow:

"By taking the initiative to seek out new opportunities beyond Canada's borders and launching this new air route, WestJet is strengthening the historic ties between Nova Scotia and Scotland, and supporting our economy and communities by connecting Canadians to the United Kingdom and the world."
The Hon. Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, Government of Canada

"Nova Scotians are delighted to celebrate WestJet's new Halifax-Glasgow service. It is only fitting that this new flight should connect Nova Scotia with Scotland. I'm pleased with the confidence WestJet is showing in Nova Scotia with the introduction of this connection and with the expansion of their WestJet Encore regional service."
Stephen McNeil, Premier of Nova Scotia

"We are delighted to welcome WestJet's service to Glasgow. So many of us have special connections to Scotland - family, business, cultural and historic relationships. We are tremendously pleased to provide our passengers with this new non-stop service from New Scotland to Old Scotland."
Joyce Carter, President and CEO of the Halifax International Airport Authority

"I want to thank WestJet for investing in our city and for seeing the potential in a direct link to the land of many of our ancestors. While this route may well honour our past, is perhaps more importantly a connection to our future, drawing new people to Halifax and Nova Scotia, and better connecting our travellers, business people and thought leaders with the world."
Mike Savage, Mayor of Halifax

"WestJet's new Halifax-Glasgow route is a major boost for Glasgow, providing the perfect opportunity to strengthen existing cultural and business links between both cities. Canada is Glasgow's third-largest international market with 37,000 trips made each year by Canadian visitors who generate £12 million for the city's economy. There will undoubtedly be strong demand for this service, which has huge potential to deliver significant inbound leisure tourism. Glasgow City Marketing Bureau has a great relationship with WestJet and Halifax Stanfield International Airport and we will be working closely with the airline to launch a joint digital marketing campaign in Halifax and Toronto next week aimed at highlighting the ease of access to Glasgow for North American visitors. We're looking forward to working with WestJet to ensure the success of this route." 
Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau

"Canada and Nova Scotia in particular represent an exciting diaspora stronghold and a fantastic opportunity for Scottish tourism. Some 4.7 million Canadians have Scottish ancestry, with 24 per cent wanting to visit Scotland in search of those roots. The new WestJet route from Halifax to Glasgow presents a great platform for the tourism industry in Scotland to tap into an ancestral market worth up to £450 million over the next five years. Working closely with WestJet, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and the airports of Halifax and Glasgow International, we are delighted to help launch this service, which will support the delivery of a strong legacy from last year's Homecoming, Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup celebrations. These events, alongside the enduring appeal of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander, have generated huge interest among Canadian travellers, and with the reach of WestJet's connecting network, we look forward to welcoming even more visitors from Halifax and beyond."
Mike Cantlay, OBE, Chairman of VisitScotland

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)
2014/2013/2012/2011 Highest equity score: airline, vacation package supplier brands (Harris/Decima EquiTrend Study)

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SOURCE WestJet