WestJet

Routes' latest update on how airlines and airports across North America are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most US transborder services will be eliminated as Canada and the US scramble to contain COVID-19 coronavirus.

Canadian ultra-LCC Flair Airlines will fly eight new routes in summer 2020 but is pulling service from Abbotsford after strong competition from WestJet subsidiary Swoop.

With ambitions to evolve from a North America-focused carrier to a fully-fledged global operator, WestJet will start Calgary-Rome flights in May.

Canada’s WestJet has appointed a new vice president of network planning and alliances.

This week: Manchester is to become WestJet’s third destination in the UK; Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines is starting service to Finland; and Avianca has ended flights between Bogota and Havana.

American Airlines has recruited “one of the leading network planners in the world.”

There is a push for WestJet's eight slots to be returned given the proposed WestJet-Delta cross-border joint venture.

This week: British Airways is adding a 27th destination in the US to its network; WestJet plans to increase its presence in Boston; and Sun Country Airlines is expanding to Canada for the first time.

This week: AirAsia X to open Okinawa service; Norwegian to add Austin - Paris non-stop; and WestJet plans seasonal flights between Calgary and Rome.

This week: United schedules seasonal Sicily service; FlyBosnia to restore London link; and WestJet adds new Caribbean destination.

Senior network planners from over 125 of the world’s leading airlines will be accepting meeting requests when scheduling opens on Wednesday 10 July.

With just under 100 days to go until World Routes 2019, the list of carriers attending the event continues to grow.

Air Canada is in exclusive talks to buy the company that owns Air Transat, potentially providing an opportunity to quickly expand its Air Canada Rouge business and increase consolidation in the transatlantic market. The proposed acquisition comes days after private equity firm Onex Corp struck a deal for Canadian rival WestJet.

This week: Virgin Australia defers first 737 MAX deliveries; Qatar expands Royal Air Maroc agreement; Ryanair to grow presence in Jordan and more.

This week: airBaltic to accelerate fleet transition; Juneyao Airlines applies to serve Cairo; domestic market boosts Qantas and more.

Ultra low-cost carrier Swoop is stimulating a new market rather than cannibalising that of its parent WestJet, according to the airline’s chief executive Steven Greenway.

Seasoned airline executive Steven Greenway took the helm of WestJet’s ultra low-cost carrier Swoop less than a year ago, overseeing its launch and the subsequent growth of its route network. Ahead of his participation at Routes Americas 2019 in Québec City, he tells Routesonline why the airline is appealing to a new breed of Canadian travellers.

The Routes Americas 2019 speaker and panellist line-up has now been confirmed ahead of the event which will take place 12-14 February in Quebec City, Canada.

This week: China Southern president departs; Small Planet Airlines ceases flying; SAS CEO warns of challenges ahead; Boeing delivers its 2,000th aircraft to China and more.

This week: EVA Air is to resume flights between Taipei Taoyuan and Nagoya in Japan; WestJet is to launch a new daily summer service to Dublin; and Norwegian unveils plans to enter the Brazil market.

WestJet is further growing its network in Europe from next summer with a new service to Barcelona in Spain.

Our top five stories on Routes Weekly: investigation opens into transatlantic route agreement; WestJet confirms Calgary as home to initial Dreamliner hub; world’s longest non-stop flight takes off; JetBlue's sweeping network changes; Bulletin board and more.

This week: Swoop adds Mexico, Air India to open Bangalore – London, and WestJet reveals first 787-9 routes.

Canada’s WestJet is to launch its first three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner international destinations from Calgary, Alberta.