WestJet said its summer 2023 787 Dreamliner routes from the Calgary International Airport will include destinations in Japan and Europe. ."This is an exciting day for the WestJet Group, our guests, and partners as we deliver on our new strategy and demonstrate our western focus as we increase our Calgary capacity by more than 25% in 2023,” said WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech in a Monday press release. .“Starting with the expansion of our intercontinental routes, future announcements will focus on domestic and North American additions that will bring even more affordable travel options to our guests in the new year.” .The release said WestJet’s first Asian destination will be Tokyo. It said there will be new routes from Calgary to Barcelona and Edinburgh and increased frequencies on existing European routes. .Tokyo was chosen as WestJet because of its expansive modern architecture, traditional roots, established ties to Alberta’s tourism and business industries, and connectivity to 50 destinations across the continent. There will be three-time weekly seasonal service beginning April 30, and it will be the only transpacific service to Asia from Alberta. .Alberta Premier Danielle Smith congratulated Calgary and WestJet and said it is a major announcement for the province. .“We are excited to see the agreement from October result in billions of new investment come into Calgary,” said Smith.."New routes are opening our province to major cities throughout the globe.”.The release went on to say WestJet's service from Calgary to Barcelona and Edinburgh will operate seasonally from May to October, up to three times weekly. It added WestJet will offer more service to Europe with flights to London Heathrow and Gatwick, Paris, Rome and Dublin.."With Calgary as home base to our 787 aircraft, access between Western Canadian communities and these intercontinental destinations will play a vital role in creating an economically prosperous aviation pipeline that better connects Canadians to the world and the world to Western Canada,” said von Hoensbroech. .WestJet officials and the Alberta government announced plans for Calgary to become the airline's hub and bring billions of dollars in economic benefits to the area in October. .READ MORE: WestJet, UCP announce plans to help airline soar.The airline said its entire fleet of Dreamliners will be based in Calgary, with connecting flights coming in to bolster the number of passengers on its departing flights..Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney promised millions of dollars in subsidies for WestJet to meet its goals.
