CARDIFF — WestJet touched down in Cardiff, Wales on May 23 with its inaugural flight to the UK city from Toronto, and Travelweek was on board and part of the celebrations.

After the WestJet Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft landed at Cardiff Airport, it was showered with the traditional water cannon salute to add to the show.

It’s the first WestJet flight flying nonstop from Toronto Pearson to Cardiff Airport, and both passengers and politicians joined in the fanfare.

Adam Price, the Welsh Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, was on the tarmac, as was Ontario’s Agent-General in London, Sophia Arvanitis, joining key industry partners such as Visit Wales, along with a phalanx of photographers covering the historic event.

As passengers disembarked, they were greeted by a Welsh choir singing O Canada, as ground crew welcomed each guest individually.

Chris White-DeVries, WestJet Senior Manager Hub Strategy and Airport Affairs, said: “The launch of service between Cardiff and Toronto is an exciting milestone both for WestJet and the communities the route serves. WestJet’s new seasonal offering makes it easier for more people to discover everything South Wales and Canada have to offer, while staying closely connected to friends, family and business opportunities. Cardiff plays an important role in our growing transatlantic network and we are proud to offer our guests from Wales more convenient access to Canada.”

Water cannon salute for WestJet’s inaugural flight to Cardiff, Wales

WestJet marked its new CWL route with celebrations at Toronto Pearson on May 22

“WestJet’s inaugural flight from Cardiff to Toronto is a powerful signal to the world that our nation is open for business,” Price said. Direct transatlantic connectivity like this reinforces the country’s ambition to make Wales one of the best-connected economies in the UK, he added.

Flying into Cardiff can now be an alternative to London, making popular spots like Swansea, Bath, Manchester, Oxford and Liverpool more accessible as well. “Today’s milestone is something to celebrate,” Price said.

WestJet’s 4x weekly YYZ-CWL service departs Toronto at 10:10 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. On the return leg to Toronto, flights depart Cardiff at 11:35 a.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Lead image caption (left to right): Wayne Harvey, Chair of Cardiff Airport; Adam Price MS, Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy; Chris White-DeVries, WestJet Senior Manager Hub Strategy and Airport Affairs; Jon Bridge, Chief Executive Officer of Cardiff Airport (photo credit Nick Morrish; all other photos courtesy Vivian Vassos)