WestJet ready to warm up your winter

Airline to increase flights across network as Encore expands

CALGARY, July 22, 2013 /CNW/ - WestJet announced today they are adding four new non-stop routes, two new year-round routes and increased frequency on 29 existing routes as part of the 2013-2014 winter schedule. Domestic routes now benefit from enhanced frequency in addition to several popular sun destinations, including Manzanillo and Ixtapa, Mexico, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, Varadero, Cuba and Hewanorra, St. Lucia.

"Our newest schedule reflects the popularity of many domestic and international destinations and the demand for more frequency," said Chris Avery, WestJet Vice-President, Network Planning, Alliances and Corporate Development. "With the continued expansion and growth of WestJet Encore, we have been able to increase our domestic frequency on existing routes while adding more flights to our most popular trans-border and international destinations.  Our guests are voting with their feet and booking these destinations with greater consistency, so we intend to give them as many options as we can when it comes to flying with WestJet."

WestJet Encore adds new non-stop routes to the network with flights between Winnipeg and Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Regina and between Vancouver and Kamloops, B.C. WestJet Encore frequency increases on routes between Calgary and Kamloops and routes between Edmonton and Saskatoon, Edmonton and Regina and Edmonton and Grande Prairie, Alta. The WestJet Encore operated route between Vancouver and Victoria will also increase in frequency for the winter schedule.

Beginning October 27, 2013, WestJet moves from seasonal to daily year-round service between Toronto and Fort McMurray, Alta. and three-time weekly service between Toronto and Deer Lake, Newfoundland. Popular U.S. destinations will also see an increase in service with one new non-stop route between Calgary and Miami and more frequency between Calgary and Phoenix, Calgary and San Diego, Calgary and Orlando, Fla. as well as Kelowna to Phoenix.

Details of WestJet Encore's new non-stop routes are:

Details of WestJet's new non-stop Calgary - Miami route is:

"Increased frequency is the direct result of a more flexible, optimized fleet and strong results on many of our pre-existing routes from both a business and leisure market perspective," said Chris Avery. "As long as the demand continues to grow, we intend to meet that demand both domestically and internationally."

About WestJet

WestJet is Canada's most preferred airline, offering scheduled service to 87 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 9,600 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. This year, WestJet launched its new regional airline, WestJet Encore.

About WestJet Vacations

WestJet Vacations provides guests with affordable, reliable and easy-to-book travel experiences to 55 destinations in 18 countries, including the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. Leveraging WestJet's fun and friendly image, extensive network and remarkable guest experience, WestJet Vacations offers guests a great flight schedule and a wide variety of hotel and resort options to create fun and affordable vacation experiences. To create an album full of vacation memories, visit www.westjetvacations.com.

About WestJet Rewards

WestJet Rewards members earn WestJet dollars on WestJet flights, vacation packages and more. WestJet dollars can be used like cash towards the purchase of WestJet flights and WestJet Vacations packages on any date to any WestJet or WestJet Encore destination with no blackout periods - even on seat sales. More flights equal more benefits, including bonus WestJet dollars and Jet-Aways. Guests who use their WestJet RBC MasterCard will earn WestJet dollars even faster.

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SOURCE: WestJet