WestJet has announced a significant increase of route frequencies across their network beginning this summer with a focus on transborder and domestic destinations. Some routes will see upwards of 3 times as much flights operating than before. According to WestJet, this amounts to around 600 flights operating during peak travel days. This announcement comes shortly after Air Canada announced in February a joint business venture with United Airlines adding additional flights. WestJet has released the percentage increase with the increased frequencies on some of their most popular routes below:
- Regina 64% increase
- Saskatoon 46% increase
- Edmonton 44% increase
- Winnipeg 42% increase
- Calgary 27% increase
- Kelowna 13% increase
- Vancouver 5% increase
WestJet has also broken down the enhanced frequencies on transborder routes. WestJet has codeshare agreements with their partner Delta Air Lines providing connection opportunities between the two airlines. For example, passengers can fly from Edmonton (YEG) to Los Angles International Airport (LAX) aboard WestJet then continue onward to a Delta Air Lines destination from LAX. This route in particular sees an increase from 4 to 7 weekly flights. Routes such as Calgary (YYC) to Houston (IAH) are seeing increases from 7 to 13 weekly flights. WestJet has the full breakdown of increases in their latest press release. Things are heating up in the Canadian airline market as Porter Airlines, Air Canada and Lynx air expand their route networks. It will be exciting to see how the Canadian airline market will respond to each Airline’s strategic move in the coming months.