WestJet is expanding its network in Western Canada by launching new routes from Edmonton and adding more flights to the United States, the airline announced on Monday. The expansion is part of WestJet’s growth strategy, which was first announced last summer and has seen the airline significantly shift resources to focus on its western Canadian network.
According to the Calgary-based airline, the Edmonton expansion, the largest out of Edmonton International Airport in the airline’s history, will increase service from the airport by 50% compared to 2022. The expansion includes new domestic routes as well as new services to the United States.
WestJet also announced 20 new routes and three new U.S. destinations for the summer, including Minneapolis, Detroit, and Washington. Transborder routes have been added from Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. While service out of Edmonton will increase by 50% compared to 2022, service out of Calgary and Vancouver will increase by 30% and 10%, respectively.
WestJet will begin nonstop service to Minneapolis, Minnesota and Seattle, Washington, this summer. The airline will also launch new routes from Edmonton to London, Ontario, Moncton, New Brunswick, and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, as well as resume nonstop service to Ottawa, Ontario, Montreal, Quebec, Nanaimo, and Penticton, British Columbia.
The company informed in a press release that “Today’s announcement underpins WestJet’s strategic ambitions to grow its presence across Western Canada and further strengthens Canada’s east-to-west connectivity.”