WestJet announces Calgary-Iceland flights, Europe reboot in Eastern Canada

While the timing is a little off due to an impending volcanic eruption, WestJet has nonetheless officially announced new service to Iceland, a route that will connect Calgary with Reykjavik (Keflavik).

The connection to the Nordic island nation, which was first reported by PAX weeks ago after the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) approved a request from WestJet to operate flights to Iceland, is part of the airline’s expanded European summer 2024 network.

With four-times weekly service, beginning May 15, 2024, WestJet will be the only airline providing direct connectivity to Iceland from Calgary.

As WestJet continues to build in Western Canada, the airline is also enhancing its 787 Dreamliner hub, increasing frequencies for international routes and adding daily exclusive service to Japan.

READ MORE: CTA approves WestJet’s request to operate flights to Iceland

"Today's announcement underscores our commitment to affordably connecting Canadians from coast-to-coast to some of the world's most popular destinations," said John Weatherill, WestJet Group’s executive vice-president and chief commercial officer. "As we continue to expand upon our growth story, we are not only providing increased accessibility to Canadians but fostering crucial connectivity between communities and driving economic growth through inbound leisure and business travel."

Weatherill, in a statement Wednesday (Nov. 15), addressed the high threat of a volcanic eruption rattling Iceland this week. 

"In consultation with local partners, we agreed to announce our intention to begin service to Keflavik in May; we will continue to closely monitor volcanic activity in the region and follow the recommendations of local authorities," Weatherill said.

The schedule

WestJet's service to Reykjavik will be further enhanced by the airline's interline agreement with Icelandair, enabling guests to travel across Icelandair and WestJet's network via one boarding pass, with the convenience of a single check-in and baggage tagged and checked to their final destination.

Seasonal return of European service in Eastern Canada

Meanwhile, WestJet is also reconnecting three major eastern Canadian cities to European destinations this summer, with service from Toronto to Dublin and Edinburgh, Halifax to Dublin, Edinburgh, and London, and St. John's to London.

"Stimulating key leisure, business and cargo demand, WestJet's seasonal service to Europe this summer from Eastern Canada is reaffirmation of the airline's commitment to Eastern and Atlantic Canada's international air connectivity," the airline said in a statement. 

More choice in Western Canada

With increased frequency between Calgary and Tokyo and six transatlantic destinations, WestJet says it is providing Western Canadian communities with more choice and access to their favourite international destinations this summer. 

Following a successful introduction of non-stop service to Tokyo's Narita International Airport, the airline is responding to significant demand for the popular route and increasing service to daily this summer.

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