WestJet Group Chief Executive Officer Alexis von Hoensbroech today joined Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas and Airport Director Sam Samaddar to meet with valued partners and leaders across Kelowna’s business, travel and tourism sectors. Those gathered discussed the importance of WestJet’s investments in the region and the airline’s renewed focus on Kelowna as the airline’s ambitious growth strategy takes flight. “WestJet is a highly valued partner at Kelowna International Airport and for our entire City,” said Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas. ”I am excited to see this relationship continue to grow through additional air service to support development of our local community”
This summer, through the resumption of service to popular domestic destinations and enhanced frequencies on existing routes, WestJet’s total seat capacity to Kelowna International Airport will increase by 28 per cent compared to 2022 and further strengthen the region’s visitor and business economies. Through today’s visit to the region, WestJet remains committed to continuing to work alongside key partners to further build upon its 27-year legacy of serving the community. “WestJet has been part of the Kelowna community for 27 years,” said Samaddar. “WestJet’s commitment to Kelowna has allowed us to grow exponentially to become the 10th busiest Airport in the country.”
“WestJet is incredibly proud of our longstanding history of investment in Kelowna which has spanned across our 27-years of serving Canadians,” said von Hoensbroech. “Ensuring that we take the time to connect with our airport and community partners is a vital aspect of our new strategy as we work to collectively ensure that Kelowna continues to benefit from affordable air travel and enhanced connectivity to popular destinations across WestJet’s growing network.”
Winter 2023 will see an expansion in Las Vegas with the addition of service from Ottawa and Calgary
Existing Phoenix service will move from Phoenix-Mesa to Sky Harbor and new route from Calgary to begin in October
Majority of Winter 2023 capacity to be international or transborder
EDMONTON, AB, March 7, 2023 /CNW/ – Today, Flair Airlines, Canada’s everyday low fare airline, announces the release of an exciting winter 2023 schedule. The schedule features added depth across the network to give customers more choice, particularly to sunshine, at low fares.
Today’s announcement includes several new routes, including Toronto to Puerto Vallarta (beginning October 29, 4x weekly), Kitchener-Waterloo to Puerto Vallarta (beginning December 16, 3x weekly), Calgary to Las Vegas (beginning October 30, 7x weekly), and Calgary to Phoenix (beginning October 30, 4x weekly). Flair will also be the only carrier to serve Ottawa to Las Vegas (beginning October 13, 2x weekly).
Existing service from Vancouver and Edmonton to Phoenix will move to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport for the season, along with the new service from Calgary to Phoenix.
“With today’s exciting announcement, we are reaffirming our commitment to Canadians,” said Stephen Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer, Flair Airlines. “Our network offers more choice to more sun destinations than ever before. Rather than one reprieve from winter, we look forward to Canadians taking the opportunity to try all of the amazing destinations in our network.”
“We’ve optimized our network this winter to match demand for sun. It’s clear that Canadians want more affordable options for sun, more often,” said Garth Lund, Chief Commercial Officer, Flair Airlines. “We’ve focused on adding depth to our network by increasing frequencies on popular routes. We’ll now have daily service various routes, including Vancouver to Los Angeles and Toronto to Orlando to make it easier for Canadians to plan their winter travel.”
One-way fares at flyflair.com begin at $9 one way including taxes and fees (Thunder Bay to Toronto). Limited seats for a limited time. Flights are available for booking at flyflair.com.
All routes, including the winter schedule, are now on sale for 20% off base fare with code: SAVE20. Sale starts on March 7 and ends on March 9, 2023, for travel from March 7, 2023, to March 14, 2024. Terms and conditions apply. Limited seats for a limited time. *
About Flair Airlines
Flair Airlines is Canada’s leading low-fare airline and its greenest airline, on a mission to provide affordable air travel that connects them to the people and experiences they love. With an expanding fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft, Flair is growing to serve over 35 cities across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. For more information, please visit www.flyflair.com.
*Use promo code: SAVE20. Limited seats for a limited time. Base fare only. Taxes and fees not included. Sale start: March 7, 2023. Sale end: March 9, 2023. Blackout dates: April 6 – April 7, 2023; April 10, 2023; May 18 – May 19, 2023; May 22 – May 23, 2023; June 30, 2023; September 1 – September 4, 2023; October 6 – October 9, 2023; November 10 – November 13, 2023; December 15, 2023 – January 7, 2024; February 15 – February 20, 2024.
Winter 2023 Weekly Frequencies
Transborder
Toronto (YYZ) – Fort Lauderdale (FLL): 14x weekly
Vancouver (YVR) – Los Angeles (LAX): 7x weekly
Toronto (YYZ) – New York (JFK): 4X weekly
Toronto (YYZ) – Las Vegas (LAS): 4x weekly
Vancouver (YVR) – San Francisco (SFO): 4x weekly
Ottawa (YOW) – Fort Lauderdale (FLL): 4x weekly
Toronto (YYZ) – Orlando (SFB): 7x weekly
Vancouver (YVR) – Las Vegas (LAS): 7x weekly
Edmonton (YEG) – Las Vegas (LAS): 4x weekly
Kitchener-Waterloo (YKF) – Fort Lauderdale (FLL): 4x weekly
Airline bolsters ambitious growth strategy with increased options for guests to travel across summer network
CALGARY, AB, March 6, 2023 /CNW/ – WestJet today announced significant increases to its summer schedule bringing more seats and additional flight frequencies to popular routes across its network. With nearly 600 daily departures during peak travel days, WestJet’s summer schedule enhancements will bring more opportunities for Canadians to travel seamlessly across the airline’s domestic, transborder and international network this summer.
“Providing our guests with even more opportunity to travel across our network this summer comes as a result of a thoughtfully designed schedule that balances the high demand for travel alongside a reliable and resilient operation,” said John Weatherill, WestJet Group Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer. “With more seats available for booking and added capacity on popular routes, our summer schedule reflects a strengthened commitment to providing seamless domestic and transborder connectivity for our guests.”
Highlights of WestJet’s summer schedule increases over 2022:
64 per cent increase in seat capacity to/from Regina
46 per cent increase in seat capacity to/from Saskatoon
44 per cent increase in seat capacity to/from Edmonton
42 per cent increase in seat capacity to/from Winnipeg
27 per cent increase in seat capacity to/from Calgary
13 per cent increase in seat capacity to/from Kelowna
5 per cent increase in seat capacity to/from Vancouver
Enhanced flight frequencies across popular domestic and transborder routes:
Route
2023 peak summer frequency
2022 peak summer frequency
Edmonton – Las Vegas
11x weekly
4x weekly
Edmonton – Los Angeles
7x weekly
4x weekly
Calgary – Denver
4x weekly
2x weekly
Calgary – Houston
13x weekly
7x weekly
Calgary – New York (JFK)
7x weekly
4x weekly
Vancouver – Saskatoon
7x weekly
4x weekly
Vancouver – Ottawa
11x weekly
5x weekly
Calgary – Yellowknife
14x weekly
7x weekly
Calgary – Windsor
7x weekly
3x weekly
Calgary – London, Ont.
14x weekly
7x weekly
Calgary – Montreal
20x weekly
13x weekly
Edmonton – Kelowna
35x weekly
27x weekly
Edmonton – Winnipeg
20x weekly
6x weekly
Edmonton – Yellowknife
7x weekly
3x weekly
Edmonton – Saskatoon
14x weekly
6x weekly
Edmonton – Regina
14x weekly
6x weekly
Edmonton – Victoria
20x weekly
13x weekly
Edmonton – Halifax
13x weekly
7x weekly
Winnipeg – Thunder Bay
13x weekly
7x weekly
Winnipeg – Saskatoon
12x weekly
7x weekly
About WestJet
In 27 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 110 destinations in 24 countries.
For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.
Recent recognitionincludes:
2020/2019 Number-One Ranked Canadian Airline Loyalty Program in Member Engagement (Bond Brand Loyalty)
2019/2018/2017 Best Airline in Canada (TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards for Airlines) 2019 Winner Among Mid-Sized Airlines in North America (TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards for Airlines)
2019/2018 Number-One-Ranked Airline Credit Card in Canada (Rewards Canada)
EDMONTON, AB, March 3, 2023 /CNW/ – The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying an investigator to Kelowna, British Columbia, to investigate an inflight engine fire that resulted in the diversion of a WestJet Encore De Havilland DHC-8-402 aircraft on 02 March 2023. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.
TORONTO, Dec. 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sunwing predicts more sun, sand and vacation adventures for Okanagan residents this winter season with returning flights to sought-after shores in Mexico. Starting mid-December, frequent flyers, annual vacationers and everyone in between can stay and play at a wide variety of all inclusive resorts in Cancun and Mazatlán with weekly direct routes from Kelowna International Airport lighting the way.
“Our customers in the Okanagan region can explore the depths of Mexico this winter with weekly flights to the popular beach destinations of Cancun and Mazatlán on board Sunwing Airlines,” said Andrew Dawson, President of Tour Operations for Sunwing. “From white and golden beaches to iconic attractions, exciting excursions and thriving downtown cores rich with culture, plus our curated selection of all inclusive resorts designed for every travel style, each destination offers a curated vacation experience we’re thrilled to offer our guests travelling out of Kelowna International Airport, where they can get the vacations they want at a great price.”
“We are very excited to see Sunwing return to Kelowna International Airport and once again provide Okanagan residents with direct flights to sun destinations, such as Cancun and Mazatlán,” adds Sam Samaddar, Kelowna International Airport Director.
Sunwing will be offering weekly flights from Kelowna to Cancun on Thursdays starting on December 15, 2022 until April 13, 2023, and weekly flights to Mazatlán on Fridays starting on December 16, 2022 until April 14, 2023.
One of the most popular destinations for southern vacations, Cancun continues to be in high demand for its sun, sand and local flavour this winter, all of which customers can discover from Sandos Playacar as their home base. Guests can enjoy one of its nine pools, the pampering spa, daily themed beach parties and easy access to shopping and culture in downtown Playa del Carmen nearby. Vacationers can also take advantage of great last-minute deals when they head to Pacific Mexico this holiday season, including up to 27% in savings when they celebrate the new year at the sparkling pools or on-site water park, or dining on Italian, Mexican and international cuisine at Riu Emerald Bay in Mazatlán.
Plus, on now until December 16, 2022, customers in the Okanagan can book during Sunwing’s 12 Days of Getaways event and gain access to incredible savings up to $1,500 per couple on packages to Pacific Mexico destinations, BOGO deals on flights and more, plus exciting giveaways and the coveted chance to win one of two free all inclusive vacations, including a stay for two at Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun An Autograph Collection All Inclusive Resort, one of the best new resorts to call the tropics home this winter.
Residents can get more value on their tropical getaways when they add one of Sunwing’s exclusive Worry Free* coverage options to their booking, offering more change and cancellation protection and more peace of mind for the winter season.
*Terms and conditions apply.
About Sunwing
The largest integrated travel company in North America, Sunwing has more flights to the south than any other leisure carrier with convenient direct service from airports across Canada to popular sun destinations across the U.S.A., Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. This scale enables Sunwing to offer customers exclusive deals at top-rated resorts in the most popular vacation destinations as well as cruise packages and seasonal domestic flight service. Sunwing customers benefit from the assistance of the company’s own knowledgeable destination representatives, who greet them upon arrival and support them throughout their vacation journey. The company supports the communities where it operates through the Sunwing Foundation, a charitable initiative focused on the support and development of youth and humanitarian aid.
New, non-stop service between Montreal and Fort McMurray
Increased frequencies on Toronto-Kelowna, Winnipeg-Toronto, Montreal- Vancouver
Air Canada will offer over 600 daily flights on 97 routes to 51 destinations in Canada this summer, the most of any carrier
MONTREAL, Dec. 6, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ – Air Canada today announced a new service between Montreal and Fort McMurray that will launch next June as part of the carrier’s Canadian summer schedule. For summer 2023, Air Canada is also restoring suspended services and increasing frequencies on popular routes across Canada, as the company augments its Canadian network following the pandemic.
“As the country’s flag carrier, Air Canada’s increased Canadian summer schedule further reinforces our role in providing critical connectivity to Canadians coast-to-coast. Our new Montreal-Fort McMurray service brings easier access from eastern Canada to one of the critical economic hubs of Alberta. And with the prudent restoration of suspended routes and increased frequencies on others, we are improving our customers’ options for domestic travel. We are looking forward to an exceptional summer, with service on 97 domestic routes to 51 Canadian airports, making us the largest Canadian carrier, with the most seats and capacity available for travellers,” said Mark Galardo, Senior Vice President of Network Planning and Revenue Management at Air Canada.
“Furthermore, we’ve built our Canadian summer schedule to synchronize with our recently announced summer international schedule, facilitating connectivity through our hubs for our customers, whether they’re traveling within Canada, across the border to the US, or to our many destinations worldwide. “
New service between Montreal and Fort McMurray will begin June 20, 2023. Flights will be operated year-round, three days a week, by Air Canada Rouge using an Airbus A319 aircraft with 136 seats in a Premium Rouge and Economy Class configuration. With its new Montreal and existing Toronto service, Air Canada will be the only carrier connecting Fort McMurray non-stop to Quebec and Ontario.
Flight
Departs
Arrives
Days of Week
AC1943
Montreal 08:15
Fort McMurray 10:38
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
AC1942
Fort McMurray 12:05
Montreal 17:52
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Air Canada also announced today the resumption of several seasonal routes and one previously suspended route. This includes daily Gander-Toronto flights beginning June 1, London, Ontario-Montreal flights beginning June 17, four-times weekly Fort McMurray-Toronto flights resuming May 1, and three-times weekly Calgary-Quebec City flights starting June 19. In addition, Air Canada is planning daily widebody service on its Ottawa-Vancouver route while also offering multiple options to popular leisure destinations, such as Kelowna and Victoria through its three main hubs.
Frequency Increases
Route
Frequency (Summer 2023 versus Summer 2022)
Edmonton-Montreal
Increases to four times daily from twice daily
Vancouver-Montreal
Increases to six times daily from five daily
Calgary-Toronto
Increases to 13 times daily from 11 daily
Kelowna-Vancouver
Increases to eight times daily from seven daily
Winnipeg-Toronto
Increases to seven times daily from five daily
Saint John-Toronto
Increases to three times daily from once daily
Kelowna-Toronto
Increases to two times daily from once daily
Quebec City-Vancouver
Increases to five times from three times weekly
Aeroplan members can earn and redeem points on all Air Canada flights; and, where available, for eligible customers and Aeroplan members, priority check-in, Maple Leaf Lounge access, priority boarding and other benefits.
Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 51 airports in Canada, 51 in the United States and 88 internationally. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is Canada’s premier travel loyalty program, where members can earn or redeem points on the world’s largest airline partner network of 45 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental rewards. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s passenger flights and cargo-only flights with its fleet of Boeing 767-300 freighters. Air Canada has committed to a net zero emissions goal from all global operations by 2050.
Canadian Aviation News 
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