Atlantic Canada has experienced tremendous growth in its air services over the last few years, with more opportunities to serve key markets in the New England and the mid-Atlantic United States, and the UK.
Capacity between Canada and China has steadily increased in recent years and the two countries' Year of Tourism will seek to further develop air links.
The chief executive of WestJet has admitted the airline would look at a potential revenue-sharing arrangement or joint-venture with a US carrier as it pushes forward its expansion strategy.
WestJet Airlines’ planned ultra low-cost subsidiary will start services in the summer of 2018 as the Canadian carrier seeks to further disrupt the industry.
The launch of the as yet unnamed business remains subject to agreement with its pilots and any required regulatory approvals. Details of its plans also remain vague but WestJet confirms it will aim to “provide Canadians with no-frills, lower-cost travel options” and will operate with an initial fleet of ten high-density Boeing 737-800s.
Canada’s 150th anniversary is the ideal time to visit a vast country that offers something different at every turn, yet the surprises don’t extend to the downtrodden aviation industry that may soon see its fortunes change.
In the last year an estimated 240,000 bi-directional O&D passengers flew between Canada and Israel, approximately 325 PPDEW (Passengers Per-Day Each-Way). This is dominated by the direct Toronto – Tel Aviv operations which account for over half of the traffic (135,000 passengers), but there is already sizeable indirect flows from Montreal and Vancouver.
Originally marketed as an ultra-low cost carrier, NewLeaf had planned on offering domestic and international flights within and from Canada, serving regional communities as opposed to busy hubs. Services were soon withdrawn from their website as there was uncertainty over licencing requirements.
