WestJet launches first flight to the City of Light

Halifax-Paris flights operated on WestJet's Boeing 737 MAX

CALGARY, June 1, 2018 /CNW/ - WestJet today connected Atlantic Canada to the City of Light, with its inaugural flight between Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). The flight landed in France at 10:00 a.m. local time.

"This is a historic day for WestJet as we touch down on the European mainland for the first time," said Tim Croyle, WestJet Interim Executive Vice-President, Commercial. "This new service reinforces our confidence in Atlantic Canada and our ongoing support of Nova Scotia's tourism and economic development objectives outlined in its Atlantic Gateway initiative. Paris is the latest milestone chapter in WestJet's drive to become a truly global airline, bringing Canada to the world and the world to Canada."  

"Adding direct air access to key markets is an important part of growing our economy," said Premier Stephen McNeil. "This new link strengthens Nova Scotia's long-standing relationship with France and will create opportunities across many sectors. We're pleased to see WestJet's confidence in our province and the region, and I look forward to the route's success."

"We are thrilled to be a part of WestJet's growth, as we expand into an airport where travellers can conveniently connect to and from Europe and beyond," said Joyce Carter, President & CEO of Halifax International Airport Authority. "Choosing Halifax Stanfield as the first launching point in Canada to the European mainland signals the airline's commitment to investing in our region and our future." 

"WestJet is a new airline serving Paris Aéroport and will start flying from Halifax to Paris on June 1," said Marc Houalla, Executive Director, Managing Director of Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport. "Paris Aéroport is proud and happy to welcome this new daily non-stop service between Paris and the capital of Nova Scotia, increasing the attractiveness of both our cities. Halifax being an additional gateway to Canada, this route will further strengthen the strong and long-standing ties which have existed for years between our two countries. We hope this first step into the Paris market will be a great success and a solid foundation for further developments of WestJet at our airports. This is a major milestone for our capital city as it is the first ever non-stop transatlantic flight to Paris operated by the B737 MAX." 

WestJet's daily non-stop flights between Halifax and Paris are operated on the Boeing 737 MAX, the airline's newest, most efficient and guest-friendly aircraft.

Flights out of Halifax have been timed to connect conveniently with WestJet flights across Canada and with codeshare partner, Air France-KLM in Paris. Flights also provide for WestJet Rewards earning and redemption.

The addition of Paris to the WestJet network brings the airline's overall reach to 106 cities in 22 countries across Canada, the U.S., Caribbean, Mexico and Europe. WestJet continues to grow it presence at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport where it is the airline offering the most non-stop destinations this summer.

Details of WestJet's new non-stop service:

Route	Frequency	Departing	Arriving	Effective
Halifax – Paris	Daily	10:55 p.m.	10 a.m. +1	May 31, 2018
Paris – Halifax	Daily	11:20 a.m.	1:35 p.m.	June 1, 2018

About Halifax Stanfield
Halifax Stanfield is Atlantic Canada's principal full-service airport providing passengers and cargo clients with access to markets across Canada, the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean Basin, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. It's the only airport in Atlantic Canada to offer Canada Customs services on a 24-hour, seven day a week basis, and U.S. preclearance. The Airport, a major economic generator valued at over $2.8 billion annually to the provincial economy, serves over 4 million passengers and processes 34,000 metric tonnes of cargo each year. A recognized innovator in the global airport industry, Halifax Stanfield is the first airport in North America to offer a self-service baggage drop system for all passengers and is consistently ranked among the best airports in the world.

About WestJet
Together with WestJet's regional airline, WestJet Encore, we offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 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 as Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice winner – North America for 2017 and 2018 in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines. The airline was also named the Travellers' Choice Winner – Economy, 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.

WestJet is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol WJA. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.  

Recent recognition includes:
2018/2017 Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice Winner Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines – North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018 Travellers' Choice Winner – Economy, North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2017/2016 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)

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SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership

For further information: Media contacts: To contact WestJet media relations, please email [email protected]; To reach HIAA media relations please contact: Theresa Rath Spicer, [email protected], P: 902.873.6311, C: 902.220.4002

Related Links

http://www.westjet.com