Adds route between Winnipeg and Abbotsford, 21 additional flights

CALGARY, Feb. 20, 2017 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced plans to connect two long-standing WestJet destinations with the addition of service between Winnipeg and Abbotsford. WestJet today also announced 21 incremental flights across the network that will serve both business and leisure travellers.

Starting April 30, 2017, WestJet will add Abbotsford as its 13th non-stop destination from Winnipeg and will increase frequency on routes to Edmonton and Hamilton. WestJet has served Abbotsford since 1997 and Winnipeg since 1996.

The airline will increase its number of non-stop flights between Abbotsford and Edmonton from 13 per week to 20 and service between Winnipeg and Edmonton will increase from 21 flights per week to 24 beginning April 30. Daily service between Winnipeg and Hamilton begins May 1. With these additions, WestJet will operate 60 weekly departures from Abbotsford and 204 departures from Winnipeg by May 2017, reinforcing WestJet's position as the number one air carrier in both these markets.

"WestJet has built its reputation as Canada's low-fare leader since 1996 and these flights further solidify this position," said Brian Znotins, WestJet Vice-President, Network Planning, Corporate Development and Alliances. "WestJet has proudly and consistently served the people of Abbotsford, the lower mainland and Winnipeg for more than 20 years while many other airlines have come and gone. Our reputation as Canada's low-fare leader is a position we will maintain as competition increases. We are pleased to connect two important WestJet markets this summer."

"WestJet's growth in Abbotsford is great news for our city, as our population continues to grow at record rates in the Fraser Valley," said Henry Braun, Abbotsford Mayor.  "These new routes will ensure we continue to attract business investment and employment opportunities to the communities east of the Fraser. Cross-country routes solidify our international airport's role as a regional hub and as an integral part of the provincial transportation network."

"More air travel options for Winnipeg is always welcome news," said Pascal Bélanger, Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer for the Winnipeg Airports Authority. "Today's announcement is a reflection of our growing partnership with WestJet and gives our community more options as we head into the busy summer travel season."

The airline also announced it will increase seasonal capacity on a number of other existing routes. Starting May 2, Edmonton and Hamilton will add six weekly flights for a total of 10 and on May 6, flights between Hamilton and Halifax will increase from seven to eight weekly flights.

All flights will be operated on board WestJet's Boeing 737 aircraft featuring Plus seating and WestJet Connect, WestJet's inflight entertainment system accessed directly through smartphones, tablets or computers. Almost 75 per cent of WestJet's Boeing fleet is equipped with WestJet Connect.

All flights provide WestJet Rewards members the opportunity to earn WestJet dollars to be used towards the payment of a WestJet-marketed flight or a WestJet Vacations package (excluding taxes, fees and charges).

Details of WestJet's service:

Introductory one-way fares are available starting from:

*Book by February 27, 2017. Some restrictions apply. See westjet.com/newroutes for full details.

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:

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