WestJet announces new flights from Calgary to Tokyo, Barcelona and Edinburgh
WestJet is set to takeoff to Tokyo in the spring. The Calgary-based airline announced Monday morning its first non-stop flights to Asia and additions to its European offerings, with routes to Edinburgh and Barcelona.
The first of the flights from Calgary to Tokyo's Narita International Airport will start at the end of April. WestJet's 787 Dreamliners will fly to Japan three times a week.
"It's a remarkable moment for our company and, I think, truly for Calgary. A couple of years ago we announced our first flights to Europe and today is the day we announce our first flight to an Asian destination," said Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet's chief executive.
"Tokyo will be a destination that will see more passengers coming from the destination than going to the destination. So this is great for tourism in Albertan and also, hopefully, for us," he said.
The company says it is preparing for broader expansion within Canada and North America over the coming months. WestJet plans to expand its capacity from Calgary by more than 25 per cent in 2023.
"What's particularly exciting about today's announcement is that we are truly a global destination," said Travel Alberta CEO David Goldstein.
"Having direct flights from those key global markets are important for business travel, leisure travel, visiting friends and family. It's going to be a huge stimulus to rebuild the visitor economy here in Alberta," added Goldstein.
The airline also increased the frequency of flights from Calgary to London, Rome, Paris and Dublin.
With files from The Canadian Press.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
BREAKING McGill University seeks emergency injunction to remove pro-Palestinian encampment from campus
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.