By The Canadian Press

WestJet CEO says new routes between Calgary and Europe a ‘game-changer’

Oct 10, 2018 | 9:19 AM

CALGARY – WestJet Airlines Ltd. plans to launch non-stop service from its home base of Calgary to Dublin, Paris and London’s Gatwick Airport using its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

WestJet chief executive Ed Sims says the move will result in lower fares, 650 new jobs in the Calgary area and an uptick in tourism.

The new routes come as WestJet challenges Air Canada with transatlantic flights that target business passengers.

The wide-body 320-seat Dreamliners include 16 lie-flat seats and 24 premium economy seats, as WestJet continues to recast itself as a large intercontinental carrier.

In 2016, Air Canada launched service between Toronto and Gatwick, on top of its daily flights to London’s Heathrow Airport from multiple Canadian cities.

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WestJet’s new routes are slated to start in the spring, with sales beginning today (Oct. 10).