WestJet Link

WestJet Link
IATA ICAO Call sign
8P PCO PASCO
FoundedNovember 24, 2017 (2017-11-24)
Commenced operationsJune 21, 2018 (2018-06-21)[1]
Ceased operationsOctober 26, 2024
Hubs
Frequent-flyer programWestJet Rewards
Fleet size5
Destinations8
Parent companyWestJet
HeadquartersCalgary, Alberta, Canada
Websitewww.westjet.com

WestJet Link was a brand name under which Pacific Coastal Airlines operated feeder flights for WestJet.

History

Service was originally planned to commence March 7, 2018, but was delayed until June 21, 2018.[2] The brand was created to primarily connect smaller cities in western Canada with WestJet's domestic hubs at Calgary International Airport and Vancouver International Airport[3] and stimulate air travel in smaller markets.[1] On May 13, 2024, WestJet announced that the brand will cease all operations on October 26, 2024, with all operations to be transferred to the WestJet Encore brand.[4]

Destinations

Further information: List of WestJet destinations

WestJet Link connected the WestJet mainline service with nine destinations in British Columbia and Alberta. All flights operated into or out of Calgary International Airport or Vancouver International Airport.[3]

Province City Airport Notes Refs
Alberta Calgary Calgary International Airport Hub [5]
Lethbridge Lethbridge Airport [3]
Medicine Hat Medicine Hat Airport [3]
Alberta/Saskatchewan Lloydminster Lloydminster Airport Terminated [6]
British Columbia Cranbrook Cranbrook/Canadian Rockies International Airport [3]
Comox Comox Valley Airport [7]
Kamloops Kamloops Airport [8]
Nanaimo Nanaimo Airport [9]
Vancouver Vancouver International Airport Hub [10]

Operators and fleet

A former WestJet Link Saab 340 operated by Pacific Coastal Airlines in 2018.

All WestJet Link flights were operated by Pacific Coastal using its fleet of 34-seat Saab 340 aircraft. Only the first two WestJet Link aircraft display the word 'Link' on the livery, the rest used the standard WestJet colours.[11] As of September 2023, Pacific Coastal Airlines had 5 Saab 340s painted and operating for WestJet Link[12][13]

WestJet Link fleet
Airline IATA service ICAO code Callsign Aircraft In service Passengers
Pacific Coastal Airlines[14] 8P PCO PASCO Saab 340 5 34
Total 5

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "WestJet Link officially takes flight, connecting Lethbridge with major hubs". Global News. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  2. ^ "WestJet Link launch delayed". newswire.ca. January 31, 2018. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e "WestJet introduces WestJet Link". westjet2.mediaroom.com. WestJet. November 24, 2017. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  4. ^ "WestJet transitions WestJet Link routes to WestJet Encore for fall 2024" (Press release). WestJet. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  5. ^ "WestJet Celebrates 10th Anniversary". cnrp.ccnmatthews.com (Press release). WestJet. February 28, 2006. Archived from the original on January 19, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  6. ^ "WestJet Link grounds its Lloydminster Link Service". My Lloydminster Now. December 14, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  7. ^ "The Comox Valley Airport welcomes WestJet Link and an enhanced summer schedule". June 29, 2021.
  8. ^ "Direct Flighhts". WestJet. March 18, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  9. ^ "WestJet reconnecting routes across British Columbia".
  10. ^ "WestJet Link giving Cranbrook another hub option". westjet.mediaroom.com (Press release). WestJet. August 12, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  11. ^ "The Avgeek - First Aircraft for WestJet Link Spotted in Vancouver". theavgeek.net.
  12. ^ pacificcoastal.com - Our aircraft
  13. ^ westjet.com - Fleet
  14. ^ "Pacific Coastal Airlines starts WestJet Link operations". World Airline News. June 20, 2018. Retrieved June 22, 2018.