WestJet celebrates 15 years in Nova Scotia

Premier Stephen McNeil visits Calgary campus

CALGARY, Oct. 26, 2018 /CNW/ - Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil joined WestJet President and CEO Ed Sims at WestJet's Calgary campus today to celebrate 15 years of investment in the province, creating jobs, driving economic growth and furthering the region's strategic business and tourism objectives.

"WestJet's presence in Nova Scotia has made a significant, positive impact regionally, nationally and internationally," said Premier McNeil. "That commitment to our province enhances trade, investment and business growth while helping attract more students, immigrants, and visitors. We congratulate the WestJet team for the past 15 years of growth and look forward to even more success in the years ahead."

"WestJet is a significant driver of economic growth in Nova Scotia," said Ed Sims. "We are pleased to help make Atlantic Canada the preferred choice for international commerce coming to or leaving the east coast of North America."

WestJet by the numbers:

• The year WestJet brought service to Nova Scotia: 2003
• Average number of weekly flights from Halifax and Sydney (combined): 182
• Number of non-stop destinations available from Nova Scotia: 17
• Growth of service (flights) to and from Halifax in past five years: 160 per cent
• Increase in the number of seats to and from Halifax in past five years: from 918,000 to 1.9 million
• Total economic impact (direct, indirect and induced aggregate): $354 million (2016)

"WestJet has significantly increased connectivity to, from and within the province, particularly in recent years, and we are grateful for the support of Nova Scotians," added Ed Sims. "We are the only Canadian carrier serving Vancouver and Winnipeg from Halifax, and our non-stop services from Halifax to Glasgow, Paris and London Gatwick have strengthened economic ties with the European Union."

 "At Halifax Stanfield, we continuously strive to advance business and economic development," said Joyce Carter, President & CEO of Halifax International Airport Authority. "WestJet has demonstrated their commitment to Nova Scotia by growing their route network, increasing air service at our airport, and championing opportunities for growth. Their introduction of service to Paris and London Gatwick this year alone are examples of that dedication. We thank them for their leadership as we work collaboratively to create prosperity for our region through flight."

"WestJet has contributed positively to air travel to and from Cape Breton Island these last few years and both the increased access and competition has helped make air travel to and from Cape Breton much more attractive to more people, which in turn has contributed to our growing tourism sector," said Mary Tulle, Chief Executive Officer of the Cape Breton Destination Association.

Swoop, WestJet's ultra-low-cost carrier, also serves Nova Scotia with six flights per week between Halifax and Hamilton.

About WestJet
Together with WestJet's regional airline, WestJet Encore, we offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in over 20 countries through our airline partnerships. WestJet Vacations offers affordable, flexible vacations to more than 60 destinations and the choice of more than 800 hotels, resorts, condos and villas.  Members of the WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of flights and vacations packages to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods, and have access to Member Exclusive fares offering deals to WestJet destinations throughout our network and those of our partner airlines.

WestJet is proud to be recognized as Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice winner – North America for 2017 and 2018 in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines. The airline was also named the Travellers' Choice Winner – Economy, North America, 2018. All awards are based on authentic reviews from the travelling public on TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site. We are one of very few airlines globally that does not commercially overbook.

WestJet is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol WJA. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.  

Recent recognition includes:
2018 North America's Best Low-Cost Airline (Skytrax)
2018/2017 Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice Winner Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines – North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018 Travellers' Choice Winner – Economy, North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018/2017/2016 Canada's Most Trusted Airline (Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)
2016 Canada's most reputable company for Corporate Social Responsibility (Reputation Institute)
2016/2015/2014/2013/2012 Ranked top three for Canadian Brands (Canadian Business Magazine)
2016/2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (MoneySense magazine)

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SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership