News Releases

Airline applauds fee elimination

CALGARY, April 30, 2017 /CNW/ - WestJet today applauded the City of Abbotsford and the Abbotsford International Airport as they prepare to eliminate the airport improvement fee (AIF) on June 1, 2017. The elimination of the fee is welcome as WestJet today launched its non-stop service between Abbotsford and Winnipeg and increased frequency on the route between Abbotsford and Edmonton from 13 to 20 weekly flights.

"The leadership demonstrated by Abbotsford International Airport sets a standard we hope others will follow," said Brian Znotins, WestJet Vice-President Network Planning, Alliances and Corporate Development. "Low fees allow us to keep costs of travel competitive and provide the opportunity to further build service in the area as demonstrated today with the launch of a new route and additional service. We are proud of our relationship with Abbotsford International Airport and look forward to a great summer of friends, family and business travel between two long-standing WestJet destinations."

"The City of Abbotsford and the Abbotsford International Airport Authority are committed to keeping costs low and our care level high at the Abbotsford Airport," said Henry Braun, Mayor of Abbotsford. "Becoming the first airport in Canada to reduce the airport improvement fee to zero without increasing other fees is a great achievement for YXX.  As we continue our work to achieve our strategic goals of a vibrant economy, we are proud to remove barriers in order to facilitate growth and investment at the airport and in the aerospace sector."

As of May 1, 2017 WestJet will operate 60 weekly departures from Abbotsford. With the launch of the Abbotsford-Winnipeg flight, WestJet becomes the largest carrier operating out of Winnipeg this summer with 51 per cent of total available seats.

Details of WestJet's service:

About WestJet
We are proud to be Canada's most trusted airline, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers. WestJet, and our regional airline, WestJet Encore, offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Through our 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:
2017 Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice Winner Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines – North America (TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2016 Canada's Most Trusted Airline (Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)
2016 Canada's most reputable company for Corporate Social Responsibility (Reputation Institute)
2016/2015/2014/2013/2012 Ranked top three for Canadian Brands (Canadian Business Magazine)
2016/2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (MoneySense magazine)
2015/2011/2010/2008/2007/2006/2005 Canada's Most Admired Corporate Culture (Waterstone Human Capital)
2015 Best Employers in Canada (Aon Hewitt)

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SOURCE WestJet