WestJet and Air France launch enhanced partnership

Agreement adds 15 Canadian routes; easy access to Air France's global network

CALGARY/PARIS, March 7, 2013 /CNW/ - WestJet and Air France today announced they have entered into a code-share agreement enabling Air France to offer its customers 10 new Canadian destinations operated by WestJet.

The "AF" code is now on select WestJet flights connecting from Toronto to Vancouver, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Thunder Bay, Ottawa, Quebec City, Saint-John's, Moncton and Halifax. Winnipeg and Calgary flights also bear the French carrier's code for both Toronto and Montreal connections to Air France's direct flights to Paris.

Reservations for travel from March 12 can now be booked online via the airline's website at airfrance.ca, via its booking centre at 1-800-667-2747 or through a travel agency.

This is the ninth code-share agreement for WestJet which, additionally, has twenty-one interline relationships.

"WestJet and Air France have had an interline arrangement since July 2009 and we are very pleased to see this evolve to a code-share," said Chris Avery, Vice-President, Network Planning, Alliances and Corporate Development. "With an extensive worldwide network, Air France is one of the world's premier airlines. We look forward to welcoming Air France's code-share guests on board our WestJet flights." He added, "We remain committed to bringing top-quality airlines on board as part of our airline partnership strategy. The success of this strategy has contributed to WestJet's strong results."

"With this enhanced partnership we are delighted to offer at the same time a larger choice of Canadian destinations to our customers flying from Europe, Asia and Africa-Middle East to Canada and excellent connections to Air France global network to Canadian customers," says Dominique Patry, Vice-President, International Affairs and Alliances.

About WestJet

WestJet is Canada's most preferred airline, offering scheduled service to 85 destinations in North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Powered by an award-winning culture of care, WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. Recognized nationally as a top employer, WestJet now has more than 9,000 WestJetters across Canada. Operating a fleet of more than 100 Boeing Next-Generation 737 and Bombardier Q400 NextGen aircraft, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world.

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About Air France

AIR FRANCE operates 1,500 daily flights in France, Europe and worldwide with its three regional subsidiaries. Its fleet comprises 364 aircraft in operation. Since 2004, AIR FRANCE and KLM have formed one of the leading European air transport groups. In 2011, AIR FRANCE and KLM carried 77.5 million passengers. The two airlines currently offer their customers access to a network covering 230 destinations in 113 countries from their hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol. AIR FRANCE and KLM and their partners Delta and Alitalia operate the biggest trans-Atlantic joint-venture with more than 250 daily flights. This summer, Air France will operate 3 daily flights between Paris and Montreal as well as a daily flight between Paris and Toronto. Air France will also operate two daily bus services between Ottawa and Montreal-Trudeau.

Internet: corporate.airfrance.com
Twitter: @AFNewsroom

SOURCE: WestJet