News Releases

Airline poised to take Canadians to the core of the Big Apple

CALGARY, Nov. 23, 2011 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced it has successfully bid for eight slot pairs at New York's LaGuardia airport. A slot pair is defined as one arriving flight and one departing flight.

The auction, held by the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), provided select airlines in Canada and the United States the unique opportunity to bid on two slot packages for LaGuardia airport and one for Washington's Ronald Reagan National Airport.

"We are very pleased with our successful bid," said Gregg Saretsky, WestJet President and CEO. "Our growth plans, in which increased business travel in the East figures prominently, includes New York City, Canada's largest international business market and we look forward to providing our guests with frequent, year-round service to the core of the Big Apple.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," continued Gregg Saretsky. "LaGuardia airport is slot controlled and therefore, access is otherwise strictly limited. Our ability to now serve New York demonstrates we are focused on delivering on our business traveller strategy."

WestJet will be working over the next several days to finalize the transaction according to FAA requirements while working to secure U.S. customs pre-clearance from Canada. Details on schedule information will be announced at a later date.

About WestJet
WestJet is Canada's favourite airline, offering scheduled service throughout its 71-city North American and Caribbean network. Inducted into Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures Hall of Fame and named one of Canada's best employers, 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 96 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. With future confirmed deliveries for an additional 39 aircraft through 2018, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world.

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