WestJet expanding Edmonton regional services

WATCH ABOVE: News of a new West Jet route comes at a time of slower economic growth in Alberta. Vinesh Pratap finds out how that translates to growth at the EIA.

EDMONTON — Travellers looking for flights from Edmonton to areas of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and B.C. will have more options starting later this year. WestJet is expanding regional service from the Edmonton International Airport, including a new non-stop to Nanaimo, and over 60 additional flights per week to Kelowna, Regina, Saskatoon, Grande Prairie and Calgary.

The new non-stop flight to Nanaimo on British Columbia’s Vancouver Island will begin Dec. 15. The daily flight will leave Edmonton at 12:45 p.m. Those travelling from Nanaimo to Edmonton will leave at 2:25 p.m.

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“Edmonton is one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada and these important schedule improvements will support that growth,” said Chris Avery, WestJet Vice-President, Network Planning, Alliances and Corporate Development.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Edmonton is one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada and these important schedule improvements will support that growth," said Chris Avery, WestJet Vice-President, Network Planning, Alliances and Corporate Development.

READ MORE: New facility opens at Edmonton International Airport

“Our community has been asking for this route for several years,” said John Craig, Chairman of the Nanaimo Airport Commission. “With this new service our travellers will now be able to fly either point-to-point or conveniently connect in Edmonton to other Canadian and worldwide destinations.”

There will be four non-stop WestJet flights to and from Kelowna starting Dec. 15.

READ MORE: Freight service to launch between Edmonton and China

Flights to and from Grande Prairie will increase to 23 times weekly starting Oct. 26.

“WestJet’s significant investment and commitment is a vote of confidence in the Edmonton Metro region. Increasing our connectivity and frequency means more options for residents and visitors alike,” said Don Iveson, Mayor of Edmonton.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "WestJet's significant investment and commitment is a vote of confidence in the Edmonton Metro region. Increasing our connectivity and frequency means more options for residents and visitors alike," said Don Iveson, Mayor of Edmonton.

WestJet is also increasing flights to and from Saskatoon and Regina to three times daily starting Dec. 15.

During the first six months of 2015, domestic travel out of the Edmonton International Airport was down 4.3 per cent, transborder travel was down 10.4 per cent, while international travel was up 15.7 per cent.