WestJet today officially launched its route between Halifax and London (Gatwick). The departure of WS24 marks the start of daily, nonstop service between Halifax Stanfield International Airport and Gatwick Airport until October 26, 2018.
WestJet inaugurates Halifax/Gatwick flight - From l-r: Michele Saran, CEO, Tourism Nova Scotia; Joyce Carter, President & CEO, Halifax International Airport Authority; Andrew Gibbons, Director of Government Relations, WestJet; Geoff MacLellan, Minister of Business and Tourism Nova Scotia. (CNW Group/WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership)
This is the first time the airline has used its newest aircraft, the Boeing 737-8 MAX for transatlantic travel.
"WestJet continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation using its fleet of fuel-efficient, guest-friendly Boeing MAX aircraft for transatlantic service," said Tim Croyle, WestJet Interim Executive Vice-President, Commercial. "This service also demonstrates our commitment to support efforts on the part of Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada to enhance trade and tourism, and grow the economies of both Canada and the United Kingdom."
"WestJet's addition of this direct route represents another link to the UK and connections throughout Europe, important markets for Nova Scotia," said Geoff MacLellan, Minister of Business and Tourism Nova Scotia. "This route will help further connect our people, cultures and businesses, making it even easier for UK tourists to visit our province. On behalf of the provincial government, I want to thank WestJet for its confidence in our region and ongoing investments that are helping to build our Atlantic Gateway."
"WestJet continues to demonstrate their commitment to Halifax Stanfield, our community and our future as we expand into an airport where travellers can conveniently connect to and from Europe and beyond," said Joyce Carter, President and CEO of Halifax International Airport Authority. "We thank WestJet for their leadership in developing new links to European markets from our gateway, and the travelling public for supporting new services."
On May 31, WestJet will launch its inaugural flight between Halifax and Paris on its Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft. The flight will mark the first time WestJet will land on the European mainland.
WestJet serves 18 cities from the Halifax International Airport, up from 12 in 2013, including 12 Canadian, two transborder, one international and this summer will serve Glasgow, London and Paris; at peak summer schedule, the airline will operate around 25 flights per day or more than 170 flights per week. Since 2012, the airline's traffic from Halifax has grown by more than 160 per cent.