News Releases

WestJet helps Mexican citizens affected by new visa rules

Canada NewsWire

CALGARY

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    Airline waives change and cancel fees to allow citizens of Mexico time to
    obtain visas
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CALGARY, July 14 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced a program to allow its Mexican guests enough time to obtain temporary resident visas as per new Canadian government regulations announced yesterday.

"These new regulations have undoubtedly caught our Mexican guests by surprise, and many will probably have to change or cancel their flights," said Bob Cummings, Executive Vice-President, Guest Experience and Marketing. "We sympathize with their situation and want to help by waiving our change and cancellation fees so they can rebook their flights and have the time they need to obtain their visas."

Mexican citizens currently booked to fly on WestJet to Canada between now and August 15, 2009, who wish to change or cancel their flight while they obtain a temporary resident visa have until July 31, 2009, to do so.

Guests are asked to call the WestJet Sales Super Centre or their travel agent. To reach the Sales Super Centre from Mexico, call 001 800 514 7288. From Canada or the United States, call 1-888-WESTJET (937-8538). If travel is rebooked at a lower fare, the difference will be placed in a future travel credit. If travel is rebooked at a higher fare and flights are taken before August 15, 2009, WestJet will honour the fare originally purchased.

WestJet is contacting our Mexican guests via telephone and e-mail as well as through Mexican travel agents to inform them of this change. As an extra step, WestJet will translate this news release into Spanish and distribute it to media outlets in Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlan - the cities it serves in Mexico as part of its summer schedule.

About WestJet

WestJet is Canada's preferred airline, offering scheduled service throughout its 66-city North American and Caribbean network. Named one of Canada's most admired corporate cultures in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. WestJet offers increased legroom, leather seats and live seatback television provided by Bell TV on its modern fleet of 79 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. With future confirmed deliveries for an additional 42 aircraft, bringing its fleet to 121 by 2013, WestJet strives to be the number one choice for travellers.