WestJet to launch ‘Encore’ in June

WestJet Airlines is boosting its base in Western Canada by launching its Encore regional service in June to British Columbia’s energy region using the airline’s first Bombardier turboprops.
The airline will begin with daily flights between Fort St. John, B.C. and Vancouver, and Fort St. John and Calgary with the first two 78-seat Q400 turboprops it receives.

Additional routes will be added as it takes delivery of five more planes by the end of the year.
WestJet said lower-cost Encore will reduce fares by up to 50 percent. The introductory fare on the routes are $109 plus taxes, or up to $172.
The airline has firm orders for 20 Q400s and options for 25 more planes over the next six years.
The head of the new airline called the launch a “historic moment.”
“As Canada’s low-fare leader, we look forward to introducing our award-winning guest experience to Canadians in smaller communities while connecting to our network of 85 destinations in 18 countries,” said Ferio Pugliese, who also is an executive vice-president of WestJet.
WestJet said Fort St. John, the so-called Energetic City, creates a strong foundation for the new service as a centre for northeastern B.C.’s diverse economic base of oil, natural gas, forestry, and agriculture.
Mayor Lori Ackerman said the municipality welcomes the additional air travel choices and connections to strategic cities in Western Canada that will be opened up with WestJet Encore.
“This announcement is another key indication of the vibrant and healthy investment environment in Fort St John,” she noted.
The Calgary-based carrier is facing increased competition from Air Canada, which recently announced increased frequencies in Western Canada with its own fleet of Bombardier Q400s, operated by Jazz.
After increasing its regional service in the west, WestJet plans to introduce Encore to eastern Canada in about nine-12 months.
WestJet also announced today that it will deploy its fleet of Boeing 737 jets to two more U.S. destinations this spring and beef up its mainline service to several destinations in Canada, the Caribbean, and Mexico.
Among the Canadian service enhancements is non-stop service between Toronto and Fort McMurray, Alta.—a major centre for Alberta’s oilsands industry.
In the United States, WestJet said it will launch non-stop service to Myrtle Beach, S.C. and Dallas, Tex., its 19th and 20th destinations in the United States, raising its total list of cities to 83.