News Releases

Airline to resume scheduled flights as airport reopens tomorrow

CALGARY, June 9, 2016 /CNW/ - WestJet announced today it will resume flying to Fort McMurray International Airport tomorrow as the airport reopens for commercial operations for the first time since wildfires caused the suspension of scheduled flights on May 4, 2016. 

"We are proud to support residents of Fort McMurray and the Region of Wood Buffalo as they return home under difficult circumstances," said Bob Cummings, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Commercial. "For those flying back to the community from cities across Canada, we have put a number of measures in place to make their travel as easy and stress-free as possible."

WestJet would like to share the following information covering schedules, airfares, identification requirements, pets and more.

Schedule
Due to airspace restrictions at Fort McMurray International Airport, WestJet will operate a reduced schedule from June 10 through June 14, 2016, with two flights from Calgary and two flights from Edmonton each day. All guests travelling to or from Fort McMurray are encouraged to check the status of their flights prior to leaving for the airport.

Fares and discount code
Flights to and from Fort McMurray are available for purchase on westjet.com. In addition to lowering fares, WestJet is offering an additional 25 per cent discount on all available seats to and from Fort McMurray, as well as to Edmonton and Calgary, for reservations made prior to June 15, 2016 for travel until June 30, 2016. Please see westjet.com/discount for discount code details and reservations.

Changing existing reservations
WestJet's rebooking policy remains in place for guests who purchased a WestJet ticket on or before May 20, 2016, for travel through July 31, 2016. Guests can make changes at no charge by calling 1-888-937-8538 (1-888-WESTJET). WestJet Vacations guests who wish to make alternate travel arrangements should contact WestJet Vacations at 1-877-737-7001.

Identification requirements
Transport Canada has waived the requirement to present government-issued ID for guests affected by the evacuation who are returning to Fort McMurray. However, guests are advised to arrive at the airport early and be prepared for possible longer wait times at security screening.

Baggage
Checked baggage fees will be waived up until July 31, 2016 for Fort McMurray residents returning home. However, existing limits for overweight, oversized and excess baggage apply. Details can be found here.

Pets
For guests travelling in or out of Fort McMurray, fees will be waived for pets until July 31, 2016. For the safety of guests and their pets, all pets travelling in the cabin of the aircraft must be in kennels that meet the size requirements as outlined on westjet.com. In addition, there are limits in place for the number of kennels – both in cabin and checked – that are allowed on WestJet aircraft. Guests travelling with pets must make arrangements by contacting 1-888-937-8538 (1-888-WESTJET).

About WestJet
We are proud to be Canada's highest-rated airline for customer service, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers. We offer scheduled service to 100 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 150 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:

2015/2011/2010/2008/2007/2006/2005 Canada's Most Admired Corporate Culture (Waterstone Human Capital)
2015 Best Employers in Canada (Aon Hewitt)
2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (MoneySense magazine)
2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in the Canada's Choice ranking (RewardsCanada.ca)
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)
2014/2013/2012/2011 Highest equity score: airline, vacation package supplier brands (Harris/Decima EquiTrend Study)

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SOURCE WestJet