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| Image courtesy of @elevationair |
A new era in connectivity began today with historic access between Western Canada and Ireland as Westjet launched its new Calgary-Dublin route. C-GRUP Boeing 787-9 MSN 64975 WJA6 touched down Dublin 1136 local. The return sector WJA5 departed to Calgary at 1526 local.
The new service operates three times weekly on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays till 7 October then reduces to twice weekly till end of season on 20 October.
The launch of international scheduled service between Calgary and London (Gatwick), Paris and Dublin will support 650 full-time jobs and $100 million in total economic output. The three new flights from the UK and Western Europe are expected to eventually bring up to 185,000 visitors to Calgary on a yearly basis, helping the development of Canada’s fastest growing sectors of the Canadian tourism industry, Indigenous tourism.
Alberta Premier, Jason Kenney said “Today’s inaugural Calgary-Dublin flight from Alberta-born and bred WestJet is a declaration of confidence in the economic future of our province, and more proof that we are open for business and ready to take on the world.”
Dublin Airport Managing Director Vincent Harrison said “We have forged a strong bond and friendship with WestJet and we are delighted to welcome its new direct service between Calgary and Dublin Airport. It’s a great honour that WestJet has chosen Dublin Airport as part of its first group of airports to be served with its new Dreamliner aircraft. We wish WestJet every success with its new route and we will continue to work closely with them to promote the new service.”
WestJet Chief Commercial Officer Arved von zur Muehlen said “With the launch of our third transatlantic Dreamliner flight, WestJet adds to our exceptional growth into and out of Calgary , where we remain the airline with the most destinations and departures.”
The Boeing 787-9 aircraft carry 320 in a three-class cabin configuration including the airline’s newly revealed Business cabin featuring 16 private pods with lie-flat seats, an upscale Premium cabin and an updated Economy cabin.
The airline has made a significant investment in its Calgary Base operating 67 routes and recently announced a$50 million investment in the 125,000-square-foot hangar is in addition to the airline’s announcement that it will be the first Canadian airline to base its first three Boeing 787-9 aircraft there. Both investments are expected to generate significant economic output and support thousands of direct and indirect jobs in Alberta.WestJet remains the carrier with the most destinations, seats and departures out of YYC.
WestJet has been operating flights to Dublin from St John’s since 2014. This year the route was switched to a new seasonal to Halifax operated by Boeing 737-700.
The carrier took delivery of three of 10 Boeing 787-9 on order. The base locations and routes for the remaining seven aircraft have not yet been announced. It has options for an additional 10 aircraft to arrive between 2020 and 2024.
View Westjet Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Cabin Tour Video
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