WestJet will connect Western Canada with Houston in September when it begins nonstop flights from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
Part of an ambitious expansion announced Monday by the Calgary, Alberta-based airline, WestJet will provide nonstop service from Calgary International Airport (YYC) to IAH beginning Sept. 8, 2015.
“Houston is well known as the ‘Energy Capital of the World’ and Calgary is widely recognized as one of Canada’s main centers of the energy business,” said Molly Waits, Houston Airport System Director of Air Service Development. “The possibilities for expanded partnerships in the future are virtually unlimited and robust air connectivity is a key component to maximizing that potential.”
WestJet will fly one daily round-trip flight on a Boeing 737 aircraft, departing Calgary at 10:25 a.m. (local time) and arriving in Houston at 3:22 p.m. (local time).
The airline also announced the addition of nine new routes and increased frequency on 15 established routes. As well as Houston, WestJet added Gander, Newfoundland, to its international routes - both important destinations in the oil and gas industry.
"Houston and Gander will connect more people, more often, to established and emerging energy markets, and we continue to improve service for our growing number of business travelers,” said Bob Cummings, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Sales, Marketing and Guest Experience.
WestJet's announcement comes on the heels of three international airlines that have recently announced plans to launch nonstop service from Houston so far this year: Volaris, EVA Air and All Nippon Airways. In addition, Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines will begin nonstop flights to several international destinations beginning this spring.
About WestJet
Canada's most-preferred airline, WestJet is powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers. It offers scheduled service to more than 90 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Through its regional airline, WestJet Encore, and with partnerships with airlines representing every major region of the world, it offers passengers more than 120 destinations in more than 20 countries. Leveraging WestJet's extensive network, flight schedule and remarkable guest experience, WestJet Vacations delivers affordable, flexible travel experiences with a variety of accommodation options for every guest. Members of the WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of WestJet flights and vacations packages on any day, at any time, to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods – even on seat sales. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.
About the Houston Airport System
Houston Airports served more than 50 million passengers in 2013. Houston’s three airports - George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby (HOU) and Ellington Airport (EFD) - contribute more than $27.5 billion to the regional economy. IAH and HOU collectively provide nonstop flights to more than 175 destinations worldwide. For more information, visit fly2houston.com. Get social with Houston Airports by following us on Twitter @IAH and @HobbyAirport.