CALGARY, July 20, 2011 /CNW/ – WestJet today announced it will begin additional service to sun destinations from Kelowna, Victoria, Winnipeg, London and Thunder Bay as part of its winter 2011-2012 flight schedule. The additional service represents significant growth to a number of popular U.S. and international destinations.

“This winter schedule represents growth in key areas within our domestic, transborder and international networks,” said Hugh Dunleavy, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Strategy and Planning. “For business travellers, we are offering more value and more options this winter in both Central and Western Canada. And for leisure travellers, we are providing more Canadian gateways to sun destinations in the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean. Overall, this is a balanced, strategic approach to growth across our three networks.”

The airline also announced it will launch new non-stop seasonal flights between Toronto and San Juan, Puerto Rico, twice weekly on Saturday and Sunday, effective November 5, 2011. One-way fares begin at $189 plus applicable taxes and fees.

With increased service to sun destinations this winter, WestJet Vacations offers convenient and affordable vacation packages with an extensive choice of great destinations, resorts and hotels in 12 countries. To celebrate the launch of the winter schedule, guests who book WestJet Vacations packages before August 14, 2011, will receive an early booking bonus of 25 per cent off their next WestJet flight. For more information on this and other great offers, please visit www.westjetvacations.com

WestJet also announced today it will resume its non-stop seasonal service this winter to Hawaii from Calgary and Edmonton, with details to be announced at a later date.

Overall, WestJet’s winter schedule also represents significant growth in a number of important U.S. and international markets. The airline will increase service to Cancun from 42 to 50 flights per week with improved connections from western Canadian gateways. Service to Phoenix increases from 33 to 43 flights per week, and to Palm Springs from 25 to 32 flights per week, including for the first time an evening flight between Calgary and Palm Springs. WestJet will also increase service to both Kona and Lihue, Hawaii, from two to three times weekly.

WestJet’s successful eastern triangle initiative will also continue through the winter. Business travellers can look forward to the continuation of 10 flights daily between Toronto and Montreal and nine flights daily between Toronto and Ottawa, backed by WestJet’s on-time service promise and affordable fares.

WestJet has also increased service between Edmonton and Calgary from five to seven flights daily, and will increase service between Vancouver and Toronto for the winter from five to six flights daily, effective October 31, 2011.