WestJet Group delivers continued growth for Edmonton region with largest winter schedule ever

Airline estimates it will fly more than 4 million seats in and out of Edmonton this year further solidifying WestJet's position as the city's leading carrier

EDMONTON, AB, June 4, 2024 /CNW/ - WestJet today revealed highlights of its Edmonton winter 2024/2025 flight schedule, outlining significant growth and commitment to the region, including record level domestic investments. Boosting its overall capacity by more than 20 per cent compared to winter 2023, WestJet will operate the city's largest-ever network to and from Edmonton. This winter, Edmonton will have access to 16 nonstop WestJet destinations in Canada, nine transborder, including Hawaii, and five options to Mexico.

"Serving a total of 30 non-stop destinations from Edmonton International Airport in the winter season, WestJet is proud to bring more connectivity to the city than ever before, holding our position as the region's leading airline," said John Weatherill, WestJet Group Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer. "With our largest-ever network and highest-ever capacity, we have enhanced our Edmonton schedule to underscore our commitment to the community and meet the growing demand for business and leisure travel to and from the city next winter, and plan to continue our growth momentum through summer 2025 and beyond."

"We are excited for WestJet to continue growing its non-stop flights and capacity at Edmonton International Airport (YEG), energizing our two-way tourism opportunities and increasing accessibility for business and leisure travellers," said Myron Keehn, President & CEO, YEG. "WestJet is a key airline partner and the number one carrier for our airport and region, bringing more flights to more places, adding frequency, driving economic growth and enhancing connectivity to the world."

Edmonton reaps benefits of WestJet's record setting investment in region

Building on momentum of WestJet's summer schedule currently in service and WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech's recent visit to the region, the airline will increase frequencies on key domestic routes that are critical to business and leisure travellers connecting to Alberta's capital city. As von Hoensbroech noted earlier in May, the WestJet Group remains close to securing additional aircraft from the used aircraft market to accelerate the airline's growth plans.

• This winter, WestJet will operate approximately 313 flights out of Edmonton International Airport per week
• Edmonton is one of the most connected cities in WestJet's network, and will see new or increased flight frequency on 10 of 16 domestic routes
• Providing 50 per cent of all air travel from Edmonton International Airport, WestJet is proud to stand as the number one carrier in the region

Domestic Schedule (Winter 2024/205)

Route	Peak Winter Departures	Winter 2024 vs. 2023 Increases
Edmonton-Ottawa	11x weekly**	New
Edmonton-Montreal	5x weekly**	New
Edmonton-Winnipeg	16x weekly*	+10 weekly flights
Edmonton-Vancouver	42x weekly*	+8 weekly flights
Edmonton-Abbotsford	9x weekly*	+4 weekly flights
Edmonton-Regina	10x weekly*	+4 weekly flights
Edmonton-Victoria	11x weekly*	+4 weekly flights
Edmonton-Saskatoon	9x weekly*	+2 weekly flights
Edmonton-Kelowna	19x weekly*	+1 weekly flights
Edmonton-Comox	5x weekly*	+1 weekly flight
Edmonton-Calgary	54x weekly
Edmonton-Toronto	27x weekly
Edmonton-Fort McMurray	8x weekly
Edmonton-Grande Prairie	4x weekly
Edmonton-Halifax	3x weekly
Edmonton-Yellowknife	2x weekly

**New route *Increased frequency

Domestic schedule highlights and notable winter frequency increases:

• New year-round connectivity between Edmonton and Montreal and Ottawa
• 167 per cent frequency increase between Edmonton and Winnipeg
• 67 per cent frequency increase between Edmonton and Regina
• 29 per cent frequency increase between Edmonton and Saskatoon
• Increased connectivity to all B.C. destinations including Vancouver, Kelowna, Comox, Abbotsford and Victoria
  • 80 per cent frequency increase between Edmonton and Abbotsford
  • 57 per cent frequency increase between Edmonton and Victoria
  • 25 per cent frequency increase between Edmonton and Comox
  • 24 per cent frequency increase between Edmonton and Vancouver
  • Six per cent frequency increase between Edmonton and Kelowna

While all routes are currently available for booking in winter 2024/25, new flight frequencies will be available for sale with the publication of WestJet's full winter schedule in July 2024.

Daily flights to Atlanta opens gateway to U.S. destinations

This winter, WestJet is bolstering its transborder winter service by providing daily connectivity to Atlanta. Through direct connectivity to Atlanta and Minneapolis, guests will enjoy the advantages of WestJet's codeshare agreement with Delta Airlines, granting access to hundreds of additional U.S. destinations from two of Delta's busiest hubs.

Route	Peak Winter Departures	Winter 2024 vs. 2023 Increases
Edmonton-Atlanta	7x weekly**	New
Edmonton-Las Vegas	10x weekly
Edmonton-Los Angeles	6x weekly
Edmonton-Minneapolis	5x weekly
Edmonton-Phoenix	10x weekly
Edmonton-Palm Springs	7x weekly
Edmonton-Orlando	2x weekly
Edmonton-Honolulu	2x weekly
Edmonton-Maui	2x weekly

**New route

Escape to the sun: WestJet connects Edmonton to Mexico's top destinations

In addition to the airline's robust domestic and transborder offerings, WestJet will enhance frequencies on some of its most popular sun destinations including Huatulco and Cancun.

Route	Peak Winter Departures	Winter 2024 vs. 2023 Increases
Edmonton-Huatulco	3x weekly*	+1 weekly flight
Edmonton-Cancun	9x weekly*	+1 weekly flight
Edmonton-Puerto Vallarta	10x weekly
Edmonton-Los Cabos	3x weekly
Edmonton-Mazatlán	2x weekly

*Increased frequency

Notable winter frequency increases to sun destinations include a 50 per cent increase between Edmonton and Huatulco and a 13 per cent increase between Edmonton and Cancun.

"We are very pleased to see continued investment and expansion by WestJet at Edmonton International Airport and are excited about the positive impact this will have on our city and surrounding communities," said Doug Griffiths, President and Chief Executive Officer for the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. "The improved connections will provide more travel choices for consumers, create new opportunities for our local businesses, and reinforce Edmonton's position as a vital center for business and trade, both locally and globally."

About WestJet

In 28 years of serving Canadians, WestJet has cut airfares in half and increased the flying population in Canada to more than 50 per cent. WestJet launched in 1996 with three aircraft, 250 employees and five destinations, growing over the years to more than 180 aircraft, 14,000 employees and more than 100 destinations in 26 countries. 

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SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership

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