WestJet today, June 1, 2018, connected Atlantic Canada to the City of Light, with its inaugural flight between Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). The flight landed in France at 10:00 a.m. local time.

WestJet’s daily nonstop flights between Halifax and Paris are operated on the Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 aircraft, the airline’s newest, most efficient and guest-friendly aircraft.

Flights out of Halifax have been timed to connect conveniently with WestJet flights across Canada and with codeshare partner, Air France-KLM in Paris. Flights also provide for WestJet Rewards earning and redemption.

The addition of Paris to the WestJet network brings the airline’s overall reach to 106 cities in 22 countries across Canada, the U.S., Caribbean, Mexico and Europe. WestJet continues to grow it presence at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport where it is the airline offering the most non-stop destinations this summer.

Details of WestJet’s new non-stop service:

About Halifax Stanfield
Halifax Stanfield is Atlantic Canada’s principal full-service airport providing passengers and cargo clients with access to markets across Canada, the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean Basin, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. It’s the only airport in Atlantic Canada to offer Canada Customs services on a 24-hour, seven day a week basis, and U.S. preclearance. The Airport, a major economic generator valued at over $2.8 billion annually to the provincial economy, serves over 4 million passengers and processes 34,000 metric tonnes of cargo each year. A recognized innovator in the global airport industry, Halifax Stanfield is the first airport in North America to offer a self-service baggage drop system for all passengers and is consistently ranked among the best airports in the world.

Copyright Photo: WestJet Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 C-FNAX (msn 60511) BFI (Steve Bailey). Image: 940224.

WestJet aircraft slide show:

WestJet on April 30 officially launched its route between Halifax and London (Gatwick). The departure of flight WS24 marks the start of daily, nonstop service between Halifax Stanfield International Airport and Gatwick Airport until October 26, 2018.

This is the first time the airline has used its newest aircraft, the Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 for transatlantic travel.

On May 31, WestJet will launch its inaugural flight between Halifax and Paris on its Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 aircraft. The flight will mark the first time WestJet will land on the European mainland.

WestJet serves 18 cities from the Halifax International Airport, up from 12 in 2013, including 12 Canadian, two transborder, one international and this summer will serve Glasgow, London and Paris; at peak summer schedule, the airline will operate around 25 flights per day or more than 170 flights per week. Since 2012, the airline’s traffic from Halifax has grown by more than 160 per cent.

Details of WestJet’s new non-stop service:

Copyright Photo: WestJet Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 C-FNAX (msn 60511) BFI (Steve Bailey). Image: 940224.

WestJet aircraft slide show:

WestJet on February 6, 2018 announced its fourth quarter and year-end results for 2017, with full-year net earnings of $283.6 million, or $2.42 per diluted share. This compares with net earnings of $295.5 million, or $2.45 per diluted share reported in the full-year 2016. The airline achieved its 51^st consecutive quarter of profitability, reporting fourth quarter net earnings of $48.5 million, or $0.42 per diluted share compared to $55.2 million, or $0.47 per diluted share reported in the fourth quarter of 2016. For the full-year and in each quarter of 2017, the airline flew a record number of guests. Based on the trailing twelve months, the airline recorded a return on invested capital of 10.0 per cent, down 0.2 percentage points from the 10.2 per cent reported in the previous quarter.

“In 2017, we continued our evolution toward becoming a global airline while flying a record number of guests and achieving our highest annual load factor in our history. We announced an agreement to enter a joint venture with Delta Air Lines, which will give Canadians more access to our low fares and growing network. We also proudly took delivery of Canada’s first Boeing 737 MAX aircraft (above) this fall, and it was in service with high reliability before the busy holiday season,” said WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky. “WestJetters care to the core by safely providing our guests with award-winning and friendly service every day. I thank each of the more than 13,000 WestJetters for their work and dedication this quarter, especially in light of the severe cold and weather-related operational challenges.”

Operating highlights (stated in Canadian dollars)

Dividend declaration
On February 5, 2018, WestJet’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.14 per common voting share and variable voting share for the first quarter of 2018, to be paid on March 30, 2018, to shareholders of record on March 14, 2018. All dividends paid by WestJet are, pursuant to subsection 89(14) of the Income Tax Act, designated as eligible dividends, unless indicated otherwise. An eligible dividend paid to a Canadian resident is entitled to the enhanced dividend tax credit.

Copyright Photo: WestJet Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 C-FNAX (msn 60511) YYC (Chris Sands). Image: 940862.

WestJet aircraft slide show: