News Releases
Airline announces 35 per cent increase in flights to YYG with new non-stop service connecting Prince Edward Island to Western Canada
CALGARY, Jan. 17, 2020 /CNW/ - WestJet today is bridging new domestic connections between the east and the west with the introduction of new non-stop seasonal service between Charlottetown, P.E.I., and Calgary beginning June 25, 2020.
"As the official airline of Destination Canada's domestic tourism campaign, we are proud to invest in this historic new connection," said Charles Duncan, WestJet Chief Strategy Officer. "Our partners in both P.E.I and Alberta are excited with the opportunity this service represents as both have a new opportunity to market their world-class tourism assets. This flight is a unique opportunity for Canadians looking to explore our country."
WestJet's seasonal service between Charlottetown Airport (YYG) and Calgary International Airport (YYC) will operate four-times weekly on WestJet's 737 aircraft. Flights are timed for convenient connectivity from WestJet's largest hub in Calgary to destinations across Western Canada including Vancouver, Edmonton, Kelowna and Victoria. The seasonal flight concludes September 7, 2020.
"This is a wonderful announcement for both Islanders who live here and Islanders living out west who, in their heart, still call Prince Edward Island home," said Premier Dennis King. "This direct flight between P.E.I and Alberta will further strengthen our relationship with Western Canada, opening up new markets for our business community and encouraging more visitors from western North America to explore our Island."
WestJet has served Prince Edward Island and the city of Charlottetown since 2005 and flights have more than doubled since introducing service. This summer, the airline will offer more than 67,000 seats to YYG, an increase of more than 20,000 from last year and in peak season will operate up to 20 flights per week from Charlottetown to Toronto and Calgary.
By June 2020 from Calgary, WestJet's hub and home, the airline will operate more than 1000 flights per week in peak season to 57 destinations out of Calgary International Airport. More Calgarians choose WestJet for their air travel than any other airline.
Details of WestJet's service between Charlottetown and Calgary:
Route | Frequency | Departing | Arriving | Effective |
Calgary- | Four-times | 10:45 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. (+1) | June 25 - |
Charlottetown- | Four-times | 7:15 a.m. | 9:33 a.m. | June 26 - Sept. 7, 2020 |
Additional Quotes:
"These additional flights are excellent news for the people of Prince Edward Island," said Minister Lawrence MacAulay, Member of Parliament for Cardigan. "With record levels of tourism to the island, and a recent investment of $8.1 million into the Charlottetown Airport by the federal government, we understand the importance of increasing capacity for travel. I'm glad to see WestJet making it easier for Canadians to come experience our great province."
"As the Birthplace of Confederation, Charlottetown has a lot to offer visitors. We are pleased to see this announcement from WestJet," said Charlottetown Mayor Philip Brown. "This new connection will not only bring new opportunities for tourism and business, but will offer up a new way to reconnect Island families with loved ones in Western Canada."
"This is obviously fantastic news, there has always been a strong connection between P.E.I and Alberta, with many Islanders calling the western province home," said Doug Newson, CEO at YYG. "We are delighted that WestJet will be offering this service giving many Albertans the opportunity to vacation to our beautiful island and for Islanders to access stunning Western Canada through WestJet's Calgary hub."
"We are delighted our guests will be able to fly direct from YYC to Prince Edward Island this summer. From red-sand beaches, lighthouses and legendary vistas to its world-renowned seafood and agriculture there is so much to see and do in P.E.I. We're also happy Islanders can visit our region, or connect through WestJet's impressive hub at YYC," said Bob Sartor, President and CEO, The Calgary Airport Authority.
"With this new flight connecting Calgary and Prince Edward Island, WestJet continues to help us showcase everything Calgary has to offer to Canadian travellers," says Cindy Ady, Tourism Calgary CEO. "Additional direct routes also support the economic impact of tourism, which directly contributes over $2 billion to Calgary's economy each year. We are very eager to share Calgary with guests from P.E.I."
About WestJet
Together with WestJet's regional airlines, WestJet Encore and WestJet Link, we offer scheduled service to more than 110 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 250 destinations in over 20 countries through our airline partnerships. WestJet Vacations offers affordable, flexible vacations to more than 60 destinations and the choice of more than 800 hotels, resorts, condos and villas. Members of the WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of flights and vacations packages to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods, and have access to Member Exclusive fares offering deals to WestJet destinations throughout our network and those of our partner airlines.
WestJet is proud to be recognized for three consecutive years as Best Airline in Canada (2017-19) and awarded among travellers' favourite Mid-Sized Airlines in North America (2019). From 2017-2018, WestJet was also awarded among travellers' favourite Mid-Sized and Low-Cost Airlines in North America. The airline was also recognized among the Economy Class winners in North America, 2018. All awards are based on authentic reviews from the travelling public on TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site. We are one of very few airlines globally that does not commercially overbook.
For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.
Recent recognition includes:
2019 Swoop - Start-up Airline of the Year (CAPA 2019 Aviation Awards for Excellence)
2019/2018/2017 Best Airline in Canada (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2019 Winner Among Mid-Sized Airlines in North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2019 Number-One Ranked Canadian Airline Loyalty Program in Member Engagement (Bond Brand Loyalty)
2019/2018 Number-One-Ranked Airline Credit Card in Canada (Rewards Canada)
2018/2017 Winner Among Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines – North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018 Winner – Economy, North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018 North America's Best Low-Cost Airline (Skytrax)
2018/2017/2016 Canada's Most Trusted Airline (Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)
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SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership
