Regional airline to serve Fredericton, New Brunswick, beginning spring 2015.
CALGARY – WestJet announced it will launch twice-daily, non-stop service between Toronto and Fredericton, New Brunswick, effective April 15, 2015. Flights will be operated by WestJet Encore using its fleet of 78-seat, Canadian-made Bombardier Q400 NextGen aircraft.
“The launch of service to Fredericton marks WestJet Encore’s eastern-most destination to date,” said Ferio Pugliese, WestJet Executive Vice-President and President, WestJet Encore. “We are very pleased to bring our low fares, high value and remarkable WestJet guest experience to the capital of New Brunswick for the first time, and we look forward to offering residents of Fredericton and the surrounding area the opportunity to take advantage of WestJet’s growing domestic, transborder and international network. WestJet Encore’s move eastward is part of a strategic plan to continue to liberate Canadians in smaller communities from the high cost of air travel, as WestJet has done throughout its 18-year history.”
“We are delighted Fredericton has been chosen as the first destination to receive WestJet Encore in the Maritime Provinces,” says David Innes, President and CEO, Fredericton International Airport. “Our region has tremendous vitality and access to WestJet service was identified by our passengers as a high priority during our Community Air Access Strategy discussions in 2013.”
Convenient, same-day connections are available via Toronto Pearson to a variety of WestJet’s domestic and international destinations including Montreal, Ottawa, Thunder Bay, Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Vancouver, New York (LaGuardia), Las Vegas, Orlando and Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
WestJet Encore launched in June 2013 operating 10 departures daily to two destinations with two aircraft and 131 employees. Today, it operates 90 departures daily to 19 destinations with 12 aircraft and approximately 500 employees.
New flights to Fredericton, N.B. and Loreto, Mexico
WestJet also announced the 2014-2015 winter schedule featuring two new destinations, one new route and increased frequency on 19 additional routes. Twice-daily non-stop service between Toronto and Fredericton begins April 15, 2015, and weekly non-stop service between Calgary and Loreto, Mexico, launches February 14, 2015. Weekly flights between Winnipeg and Fort Lauderdale operate Saturdays starting November 1, 2014.
“We have more flights and more seats to the places Canadians want to go,” said Chris Avery, WestJet Vice-President, Network Planning, Alliances and Corporate Development. “Our newest destinations offer exciting adventures at home and abroad. Loreto, Mexico may be one of the best places you’ve never heard of, where visitors enjoy everything from sport fishing and sea-kayaking to eco-tourism adventures. Fredericton, as the latest Encore destination, reinforces our commitment to make WestJet Encore connect Canadians from coast to coast.”
“The introductory pricing for these markets represents our focus on being Canada’s low fare leader,” said Paul Harvalias, WestJet Vice-President, Revenue Management. “Whether you’re looking for the lowest price possible through our Econo fares or the flexibility, convenience and amenities found in Plus, we are committed to providing Canadians with the best value for their travel dollar.”
Earlier this year, WestJet unveiled four additional new routes as part the 2014-2015 winter schedule. WestJet Encore service between Calgary and Penticton begins October 26, 2014, Edmonton to Kamloops service starts February 15, 2015, and Quebec City welcomes twice-daily flights beginning March 15, 2015. Daily WestJet service between Toronto and Phoenix launches October 26, 2014.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
