New Destination(s)

[brooks]

Found this advisory released to the media today from WestJet.

PRESS RELEASE FROM CNW GROUP
Media Advisory - WestJet To Make New Destination Announcement
Thursday, October 02, 2014

Media Advisory - WestJet to make new destination announcement
08:00 EDT Thursday, October 02, 2014
CALGARY, Oct. 2, 2014 /CNW/ - WestJet invites members of the media to join airline executives, airport officials and elected federal, provincial and municipal government representatives for a new destination announcement at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport on Friday, Oct. 3, 2014.

WHAT: New destination announcement by WestJet

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 3, 2014, at 10 a.m. ADT

WHERE: Observation Deck, Halifax Stanfield International Airport, 1 Bell Blvd, Enfield, Nova Scotia

INTERVIEWS: Representatives from WestJet, all three levels of government, the Halifax Stanfield International Airport and other agencies.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Led by a piper, there will be a procession of dignitaries walking from the WestJet check-in counters located on the main level of the Halifax Stanfield International Airport and will proceed through the terminal to the elevators leading up to the Observation Desk. Media wishing to capture this process are asked to be at the WestJet check-in counters no later than 9:45 a.m.

About WestJet
We are proud to be Canada's most-preferred airline, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers. We offer scheduled service to more than 90 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Through our regional airline, WestJet Encore, and with partnerships with airlines representing every major region of the world, we offer our guests 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 our WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Our 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.

Recent recognition includes:
2014 Interbrand Canada's Best Canadian Brands (Rank #20)
2014 Canada's Most Preferred Airline (Ipsos)
2014 Value Airline of the Year (Air Transport World magazine)
2014/2013/2012 Canada's Most Attractive Employer (Randstad)
2013 Highest equity score: airline, vacation package supplier brands (Harris/Decima EquiTrend Study)
2013 Gold Stevie Award Best Transportation Company (American Business Awards)
2013 Chairman's Circle Award: WestJet Vacations (CPSC)
2014, 2013 WestJet RBC MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (Money Sense magazine)
Connect with WestJet on Facebook at facebook.com/westjet
Follow WestJet on Twitter at twitter.com/westjet
Subscribe to WestJet on YouTube at youtube.com/westjet
Read the WestJet blog at blog.westjet.com

SOURCE WestJet


For further information:

[Realitychex]

Scotch, anyone?

[jetsetfly]

LOW-COST Canadian carrier WestJet is to launch its first UK route with direct, daily flights between Glasgow Airport and Halifax from next year.

The service will launch next summer and is the airline's second transatlantic venture. In June it launched a daily summer service between Dublin and Newfoundland, but Glasgow will be its only other European destination.

The inaugural non-stop flight to Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, will depart from Glasgow on May 30 and will fly daily until October 24. Seats go on sale today, with prices starting about £170 one-way, including taxes.

Journey time to Halifax is five hours 15 minutes and will be operated by a 136-seat Boeing 737-700.

Passengers will be able to connect to Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and 16 other cities in WestJet's Canadian network.

The airline also operates flights to destinations across mainland America, as well as to Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean.

The launch will boost Glasgow Airport's status as Scotland's leading long-haul airport, currently serving 15 destinations in North America, Mexico, the Caribbean and the Middle East.

In addition, 60 per cent of passengers flying from Glasgow to Reykjavik with Icelandair connect to North America.

In recognition of the strong cultural and historic ties between Scotland and Nova Scotia the inaugural flight will be numbered WS30, in reference to St Andrew's Day.

Mike Cantlay, chairman of ­tourism agency VisitScotland, said: "Canada and Nova Scotia, in particular, represent an exciting diaspora stronghold and a fantastic opportunity for Scottish tourism.

"Some 4.7 million Canadians have Scottish ancestry, with 24 per cent of them wanting to visit Scotland in search of those roots.

"The new WestJet route presents a sizeable opportunity to tap into an ancestral market worth up to £450 million over the next five years."

Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said it was fantastic news. She added: "WestJet is an ambitious airline with an extensive route network and we are delighted it has chosen Glasgow as its first UK destination.

"Scotland has always enjoyed a close relationship with Canada and the daily service to Halifax will provide our customers with greater choice and also further strengthen our long haul connectivity."

Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "Our two countries have close cultural and historic ties and this new service will help strengthen these important bonds.

"I outlined the benefits of ­establishing routes like this when I met representatives of Halifax Stanfield International Airport during my visit to Canada last year and I am sure it will prove popular and successful."

Mr Brown said even more direct flights would come to Scotland if Westminster devolved control over Air Passenger Duty, which the Scottish Government is keen to axe.

Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "There will undoubtedly be strong demand for this service, which has huge potential to deliver significant inbound leisure tourism.

"Canada is Glasgow's second largest international market, with 37,000 trips made each year by Canadian visitors who generate £12m for the city's economy."

[Blue Yonder]

Amusing how WestJet is still described as 'Low-cost'.

[flyer 1492]

So...What part of the 737 needs fixing this time??? lol

Flyer

[North Shore]

Och, Glasgie!
Tha' expleens the baag charrge las weeek. Ye canna ge' eenythin' fer free, nooadays!

[Realitychex]

Amusing how WestJet is still described as 'Low-cost'.

Compare WJ's casm to their Canadian based competition. Keep in mind the difference in asl.

LCC has always referred to the carriers costs. Anyone can offer low cost airfares. Only airlines with low costs can actually make money with low cost airfares.

That's why one airline in Canada lost about $250m in the 9 months ended June 30th 2014 and another that is about 1/3 the size made $210m in the same period, even though fares were essentially "matched" and their costs are supposedly the same.

[dukepoint]

So if I got on a plane in Winnipeg, spent an hour and a half transfering to another plane in Toronto, and then another hour or two in Halifax......could they still call it a direct flight "Winnipeg - Glasgow"? Why don't they plan one of their 767's direct from the Toronto hub? They shold be able to fill it easily. Bet the moment the announcement was made, Calin's already planning non-stop widebody service from YYZ. WJ should beat him to it.

Enough half measures; if you're going to compete in the over-seas market, don't muck about. If WJ is so rich as Realitycheck says, go get some proper overseas airplanes right now, and compete properly. Until then, it's just an international side-show. Step it up!

DP.

[Go Guns]

Why don't they plan one of their 767's direct from the Toronto hub? They shold be able to fill it easily. Bet the moment the announcement was made, Calin's already planning non-stop widebody service from YYZ. WJ should beat him to it.

Air Canada Rouge already operates YYZ - DUB, yet WestJet seems to do okay with the stop in YYT.

So if I got on a plane in Winnipeg, spent an hour and a half transfering to another plane in Toronto, and then another hour or two in Halifax......could they still call it a direct flight "Winnipeg - Glasgow"?

No, here's some definitions to help you.
Difference between a non stop flight and direct

[dukepoint]

Yes, thanks for the help.

I'm new to aviation.


DP.

[True North]

Yes, thanks for the help.

I'm new to aviation.


DP.

That's quite apparent. But don't worry, we're here to help.

[Old fella]

Scotch, anyone?

http://www.scotchwhisky.net/


Be takin yer pick, laddie, donna be spoiling it with ice and soda/ginger ale like the bloody soddin yanks

[dukepoint]

Yes, thanks for the help.

I'm new to aviation.


DP.

That's quite apparent. But don't worry, we're here to help.

Ya.........point being, if your gonna go overseas proper, don't do it with a Baby Boeing.....leave them to Domestic runs where they belong.
You guys have plenty of cash.......why don't you guys step up and do long-haul right???

AC's plan is to have 90 Widebodies within the next 6 years. You guys are planning for what three old Qantas 767's +-??? Why not 10 or 20 new 330 Neo's or 787's?? If you're going to play with the big boys, get bigger toys.

DP.

[True North]

Yes, thanks for the help.

I'm new to aviation.


DP.

That's quite apparent. But don't worry, we're here to help.

Ya.........point being, if your gonna go overseas proper, don't do it with a Baby Boeing.....leave them to Domestic runs where they belong.
You guys have plenty of cash.......why don't you guys step up and do long-haul right???

AC's plan is to have 90 Widebodies within the next 6 years. You guys are planning for what three old Qantas 767's +-??? Why not 10 or 20 new 330 Neo's or 787's?? If you're going to play with the big boys, get bigger toys.

DP.

Yeah, point(s) being; I'm not one of "you guys", I don't work for WJ, just an interested/informed bystander. To the point - you may (or may not) know how to fly an airplane but you obviously know nothing about the business. If you think "3 old Qantas 767s" are the end game, well, you haven't been paying attention.

[Realitychex]

The 3 737-200's in 1996 were never the end game either......

[bmc]

Yes, thanks for the help.

I'm new to aviation.


DP.

That's quite apparent. But don't worry, we're here to help.

Ya.........point being, if your gonna go overseas proper, don't do it with a Baby Boeing.....leave them to Domestic runs where they belong.
You guys have plenty of cash.......why don't you guys step up and do long-haul right???

AC's plan is to have 90 Widebodies within the next 6 years. You guys are planning for what three old Qantas 767's +-??? Why not 10 or 20 new 330 Neo's or 787's?? If you're going to play with the big boys, get bigger toys.

DP.

WJ isn't interested in playing the big boys, just making money on untapped routes.

Go ahead and fill your boots on routes with excess capacity and diminishing yield.

[dukepoint]

AC loads are hammered everywhere. Rouge loads were around 90% on the overseas routes all summer. There are dozens of underserved overseas markets that are open and up for grabs. AC intends to fly those routes. All WJ need to do is apply for those routes with the Canadian government, and wait for foreign approval. AC intends to grab all the money making routes, effectively shutting out WJ.

Bangkok, Australia(Melbourne), many destinations in China, India, North Africa, Coppenhagen....just to name a few, are all money makers that will likely be flown by a Canadian carrier in the next 5 years.

What I'm getting at, is that if WJ has the money, and capable pilots, why not expand overseas properly? It would help fill domestic flights. 20 330Neo's could easily be kept busy. AC's plan is to completely dominate the International market out of Canada. Calin is a smart cookie, and sees serious, serious cash, otherwise 90 widebodys would not be the plan at all. Don't underestimate him.


If WJ is so "cash fat", why are they letting AC get the jump on them? Why "dabble" with overseas using the wrong aircraft, when they could be a serious contender. I have no intention of offending anyone. I'm only asking a question.

DP.

[rudder]

90 WB?

At staffing of 20 per that would be be 1800 pilots. Add to that 110-120 NB staffed at 14 per and that will be close to 3500 pilots.

With assured retirements and the dearth of new entrants in to the ATP world in Canada, where are the pilots to staff this operation going to come from?

Whether you are AC, WJ, AT, SW, or any other operator contemplating growth the single largest restriction to implementing the commercial plan will be access to pilot labour.

[Go Guns]

where are the pilots to staff this operation going to come from?

TFWs

[jetsetfly]

90 WB?

At staffing of 20 per that would be be 1800 pilots. Add to that 110-120 NB staffed at 14 per and that will be close to 3500 pilots.

With assured retirements and the dearth of new entrants in to the ATP world in Canada, where are the pilots to staff this operation going to come from?

Whether you are AC, WJ, AT, SW, or any other operator contemplating growth the single largest restriction to implementing the commercial plan will be access to pilot labour.

Answer to Pilot Shortage...

[bmc]

AC loads are hammered everywhere. Rouge loads were around 90% on the overseas routes all summer. There are dozens of underserved overseas markets that are open and up for grabs. AC intends to fly those routes. All WJ need to do is apply for those routes with the Canadian government, and wait for foreign approval. AC intends to grab all the money making routes, effectively shutting out WJ.

Bangkok, Australia(Melbourne), many destinations in China, India, North Africa, Coppenhagen....just to name a few, are all money makers that will likely be flown by a Canadian carrier in the next 5 years.

What I'm getting at, is that if WJ has the money, and capable pilots, why not expand overseas properly? It would help fill domestic flights. 20 330Neo's could easily be kept busy. AC's plan is to completely dominate the International market out of Canada. Calin is a smart cookie, and sees serious, serious cash, otherwise 90 widebodys would not be the plan at all. Don't underestimate him.


If WJ is so "cash fat", why are they letting AC get the jump on them? Why "dabble" with overseas using the wrong aircraft, when they could be a serious contender. I have no intention of offending anyone. I'm only asking a question.

DP.

First of all, it's not hard to fill an airplane. Price it and you can fill it.

How do you know those are all "money making" routes? All of those routes between Canada and those destinations are all being served today. Adding capacity will dilute yields. Throw in seasonality and you either have lighter loads or lower yields. Then throw in the cost of introducing a new fleet type, purchasing spares, training pilots, hiring pilots, training maintenance, etc, etc.

If there was a business case for it, Gregg would be pursuing it.

[aerobod]

AC loads are hammered everywhere. Rouge loads were around 90% on the overseas routes all summer. There are dozens of underserved overseas markets that are open and up for grabs. AC intends to fly those routes. All WJ need to do is apply for those routes with the Canadian government, and wait for foreign approval. AC intends to grab all the money making routes, effectively shutting out WJ.

Bangkok, Australia(Melbourne), many destinations in China, India, North Africa, Coppenhagen....just to name a few, are all money makers that will likely be flown by a Canadian carrier in the next 5 years.

What I'm getting at, is that if WJ has the money, and capable pilots, why not expand overseas properly? It would help fill domestic flights. 20 330Neo's could easily be kept busy. AC's plan is to completely dominate the International market out of Canada. Calin is a smart cookie, and sees serious, serious cash, otherwise 90 widebodys would not be the plan at all. Don't underestimate him.


If WJ is so "cash fat", why are they letting AC get the jump on them? Why "dabble" with overseas using the wrong aircraft, when they could be a serious contender. I have no intention of offending anyone. I'm only asking a question.

DP.

From a business risk perspective, WestJet has always enployed a slow and steady relentless expansion. Widebody expansion is likely to continue in the same vain, as is happening with Encore at the moment. The 767s are available now, but require certification, bases, procedures and systems to be developed and/or refined. That's why they won't be put into service until the 2nd half of 2015. There is no point in throwing away cash by expanding too quickly.

As Realitychex says, this is just the beginning - 787s, 330neos or 350s are just not available in any realistic and cost effective manner for a minimum of several years, even if an order is placed today, unless there is a market downturn that leaves leasing companies that placed orders years ago with a surplus of airframes on their hands.

[True North]

^ What he said.

[DaveP]

What they said ^

[dukepoint]

"Slow and steady", "let's start with three older machines"........... That's a 20 year old business plan. It worked well in 1996. This is not the same business environment. Is it the right strategy today? I ask this because WJ is a legitimate concern, with serious financial backing. Both Boeing and Airbus would fall over themselves to secure a sizeable Widebody order with you guys.

AC is cherry picking the profitable overseas routes. WJ is at serious risk of getting shut out of the overseas market, IMO. As far as I know, the Federal Government won't just let Westjet have slots in Heathrow, or compete in the Japanese market. It's far more complicated than that. The government won't grant a scheduled international route to a second Canadian carrier if they have reason to believe the market is already well served.....as far as I know.

Why do I care? I have a ton of WJ stock; so I'd call it a serious vested interest.

DP.