Canadian low-cost carrier, WestJet Airlines, has confirmed it has once again agreed to lease two Boeing 757-200s from Thomas Cook Airlines to operate non-stop, daytime flights to Hawaii from Calgary and Edmonton this winter. The flights, subject to regulatory approval, will support the increasing demand from WestJet’s sister company, WestJet Vacations for leisure links in these specific markets.
WestJet will offer a twice weekly service between Calgary and Honolulu, a four times weekly operation between Calgary and Maui and a three times weekly link between Edmonton and Maui between December 13, 2013 and April 26, 2014.
"WestJet's non-stop service to some of our most popular Hawaiian destinations has proven to be of enormous benefit," said Bob Cummings, Executive Vice-President, Sales, Marketing and Guest Experience, WestJet Airlines. "A larger aircraft featuring the same award-winning guest experience allows more Albertans to experience Hawaii on a non-stop flight, and the additional flying will allow us to offer greater frequency across the network while keeping our fares competitive."
Under the terms of the damp lease arrangement, Thomas Cook Airlines will provide the aircraft and flight crew for these services, although WestJet will provide its own team of flight attendants. WestJet is the only airline providing capacity for Thomas Cook's tour operator business in the Canadian market as part of a successful, Canada-wide partnership for the third year in a row and this lease deal will allow an increase in capacity to the Hawaiian Islands.
WestJet first introduced scheduled flights to Hawaii in December 2005 with links from Vancouver to Honolulu and Maui. Flights from Calgary to Honolulu and Maui and between Edmonton and Maui commenced in March 2010. In 2012 an estimated 52,000 bi-directional O&D passengers flews between Edmonton and Maui while 51,000 and 83,000 flew between Calgary and Honolulu and Maui, respectively.
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