Canada’s WestJet has launched a new direct route between Halifax in Nova Scotia and London Gatwick in the UK, using for the first time its brand-new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft for the transatlantic journey.
The departure of WS24 marked the start of the daily nonstop service between Halifax Stanfield International Airport and Gatwick Airport until 26 October.
“WestJet continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation using its fleet of fuel-efficient, guest-friendly Boeing MAX aircraft for transatlantic service,” said Tim Croyle, WestJet’s interim executive vice-president, commercial. “This service also demonstrates our commitment to support efforts on the part of Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada to enhance trade and tourism, and grow the economies of both Canada and the United Kingdom.”
At the end of May, WestJet will also launch its inaugural flight between Halifax and Paris using the MAX 8, an event that will also mark the first time the airline lands on the European mainland.
WestJet serves 18 cities from Halifax International Airport, up from 12 in 2013, including 12 Canadian, two trans-border and one international, and this summer will serve London, Paris and also Glasgow in Scotland. At peak summer schedule it will operate around 25 daily flights. Since 2012 the airline’s traffic from Halifax has grown by more than 160%.
Together with WestJet’s regional airline, WestJet Encore, it now offers scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe.
