WESTJET, PORTER: Canadian carriers announce new routes

WestJet has unveiled 20 new routes and three new destinations – Minneapolis, Detroit and Washington DC (Dulles) – to the airline’s summer schedule, which features what the carrier calls its “largest expansion in history” out of Edmonton. At the same time, Porter is launching Ottawa-Charlottetown service in May.

In addition to the new destinations, WestJet’s summer network additions also feature new routes from Western Canada to Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Nashville and Seattle.

With strengthened domestic and transborder connectivity, WestJet will increase its service up to nearly 30% in Calgary, 50% in Edmonton and 10% in Vancouver when compared to 2022.

WestJet notes that through its longstanding partnership with Delta Air Lines, guests connecting through Minneapolis and Detroit will gain access to two more of the US airline’s major hubs. Building on WestJet’s current service to Delta hubs, including Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle, WestJet passengers will now have access to over 150 US destinations on a single purchased ticket with check-in for all flights at the first departure, baggage tagged to their final destination and lounge access for select guests.

Outside of the US, WestJet’s winter service to Bermuda will continue twice weekly from Toronto.

And in line with the airline’s previously announced strategic direction, WestJet is also expanding domestic travel options across Canada with increased frequencies and options to travel from coast-to-coast. To that end, the carrier is adding five new routes and resuming service between Eastern and Western Canada, further positioning its network to support travel demands across the country.

Service includes Calgary to Moncton, Thunder Bay, and Quebec City; and Edmonton to Charlottetown, London, Moncton, Ottawa, and Montreal.

Regional connectivity with the resumption of non-stop flights and increased frequencies will also be enhanced in the West.

Porter Airlines

Meanwhile, Porter Airlines will launch direct service between Ottawa International Airport and Charlottetown Airport, with flights taking off on May 17.

The new daily, non-stop route – available initially until the last week of October – is to be served by 78-seat De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft and marks the only daily non-stop service between the cities.

Porter currently serves Moncton, Fredericton, Halifax, and St. John’s, N.L., in the region and connections are available from Charlottetown to Thunder Bay, Toronto City, and Toronto Pearson.