CALGARY — WestJet has added Rome as its newest destination in Europe, and its first in Italy, with new nonstop Dreamliner seasonal service out of Calgary starting May 2, 2020.
The new route, subject to government approvals, is part of WestJet’s move to boost capacity by 200,000 seats on key Dreamliner routes out of Calgary.
“Whether they have Italian roots or are dreaming of a bucket list destination, western Canadians have never had convenient, nonstop access to the Eternal City,” said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO.
“WestJet’s continued international expansion from our home in Calgary reinforces our commitment to investing in the city as an international aviation hub.”
The FCO-YYC service will operate three times weekly in peak season. Flights are timed for connections across WestJet’s network in North America, including to and from Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, San Francisco and L.A.
WestJet has also announced it is adding more than 300 Dreamliner departures, an increase of more than 52% over 2019, to key transatlantic Dreamliner routes out of Calgary, including:
. Calgary-London (Gatwick) six-times weekly starting April 4, 2020, increases to daily service April 14, 2020.
. Calgary-Paris starting March 12, three-times weekly, increases to four-times weekly April 6, and to six times weekly on June 2, 2020. This is an additional two weekly flights over summer 2019.
. Calgary-Dublin resumes twice-weekly service on May 3, 2020 and increases to three-times weekly flights on May 30, 2020.
“After the success we had on our Dreamliner routes out of Calgary in summer 2019, we have added 200,000 more seats and lengthened the operating dates on our seasonal routes,” said Sims. “The reception of these flights reinforces that we are providing services that were long overlooked for travellers from the west.”
Fausto Palombelli, Chief Commercial Officer of Aeroporti di Roma, said: “Rome Fiumicino, the first airport in Europe for passenger satisfaction, is constantly developing as the main Italian hub and preferred gateway to the Mediterranean and Southeast Europe. The new WestJet flight is the answer to an increasing demand between Canada and Italy, that has been growing beyond the capacity introduced into the market.”
Bob Sartor, President & CEO, The Calgary Airport Authority, noted that passengers “now have the option to avoid a long day of travel including connections, with WestJet’s new nonstop flight from Calgary to Rome.”
