WESTJET ADDS ANTIGUA TO ITS WINTER 2012/2013 TROPICAL DESTINATIONS LIST Wednesday 12th September 2012
 From left to right: Patrick Ryan- Chairman Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority, Colin James – CEO Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Erica Henry-Jackman Director Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Canada, Neil Forrester General Manager Antigua Hotels and Tourists Association
In preparation for the upcoming tourist winter season, tourism stakeholders on island eagerly anticipate the arrival of a new addition to the Canadian tourist market. WestJet Airlines is set to join the other airlines serving Antigua, with twice weekly flights out of Toronto’s Pearson International Airport starting October 28th.
Noted as one of the largest carriers in North America, WestJet flies more than 420 flights daily across Canada, the Americas and the Caribbean utilizing its fleet of 98 Boeing 737 Aircraft.
The addition of this service comes after months of negotiation and shared interests on the parts of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority and WestJet’s Canadian Base. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation Hon. John Maginley who was instrumental in securing the additional airlift noted, “The Canadian tourist market has proven to be one of the more reliable with regards to performance over the last few years, resisting a recession with double digit growth of arrivals year after year.” He continued that, “it has become obvious through our research that the market has not reached its full performance potential and that additional airlift from Canada was the only means of ensuring that the destination was poised to take full advantage of the performance of that market.”
WestJet’s domestic Canadian routing also now means that guests from across Canada have more options for getting to the destination hassle free and cost effectively. Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority CEO Colin James noted that “the increase of airlift out of Canada has always been seen as vital to sustained growth in the Canadian Market. Through choices of Canadian flagged carriers and connections through the United States, travel between any Canadian city and Antigua has just gotten a lot easier and more affordable.”
WestJet’s seasonal service to Antigua will commence October 28th. WestJet Flight 2555 will depart Toronto at 9:30am and will arrive in Antigua at 2:12pm. The return, WestJet Flight 2556 will depart Antigua at 3:05pm and will arrive in Toronto at 8:27pm every Sunday and Wednesday.
The introduction of WestJet to Antigua and Barbuda is of much interest to locals and residents of neighbouring islands with friends and family in Canada, due to WestJet’s special introductory fares.
The new service has also been welcomed by local hoteliers as it now opens up the destination to WestJet’s huge network and loyal customer base. This will support the country’s efforts which will serve to drive an increase in visitor arrivals from the Canadian market.
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