CALGARY — WestJet is ending the month of July on a high note by announcing greater flexibility on Flex fares, several new routes and what’s being called its “greatest sale of the summer”.

As of yesterday (July 24), there will be no fee to change or cancel domestic travel bookings, or to make same-day flight changes during check-in for domestic travel bookings.

Fares within the Flex bundle will continue to be non-refundable. The updated fees only apply to new bookings.

In addition to the removal of the change fee for domestic Flex fare bookings, Plus Flexible fares now have a fully refundable option. As of July 24, WestJet has eliminated the $50 fee for refunding to original form of payment for all new Plus Flexible fare bundle bookings.

In terms of new service, WestJet rolled out a bevy of new flight announcements, including new flights between Vancouver and Huatulco, and Edmonton and Huatulco, Mexico. Nonstop weekly service from Vancouver starts Oct. 29, while Edmonton service kicks off Nov. 2.

From Vancouver, WestJet will also increase service between the city and the following destinations: Fort McMurray (from five to six times weekly); Edmonton (from 55 to 58 times weekly); Calgary (from 90 to 98 times weekly, more than any other carrier); Fort St. John (from seven to 12 times weekly); Puerto Vallarta (from seven to eight times weekly); and Cancun (from six to seven times weekly).

The airline will also increase nonstop service between Edmonton and Abbotsford from 11 to 13 flights per week, and Victoria from 10 to 13 flights per week.

Calgary is also getting new nonstop weekly service to the tropical destination of Belize, effective Nov. 3. In addition, it will increase service on the following routes from Calgary: Vancouver (from 90 to 97 times weekly); Toronto (from 58 to 68 times weekly); Fort McMurray (from four to five times each business day); Kelowna (from six to seven times each business day); Brandon (from 10 to 12 times weekly); Grande- Prairie (from 19 to 26 times weekly); Kitchener (from five to seven times weekly); Los Angeles (from 11 to 14 times weekly); Phoenix (from 19 to 20 times weekly); Palm Springs (from 18 to 20 times weekly); Cancun (from 14 to 16 times weekly); and Cabo San Lucas (from seven to eight times weekly).

“The considerable increase in frequencies out of YYC, combined with the introduction of WestJet’s Calgary to Belize route is exciting news for Albertans,” said Bob Sartor, President and CEO for The Calgary Airport Authority. “Enhancing the WestJet network out of their home base is a strategic investment to advance one of their largest hubs, and provide YYC passengers with more options to connect out of Calgary.”

Passengers flying out of Toronto this winter will have a lot more choice with WestJet, as the airline has announced an additional 55 weekly nonstop flights to sun spots in the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean.

Increased service has been announced from Toronto to: Orlando (from 12 to 15 times weekly); Fort Lauderdale (from 11 to 14 times weekly); Cancun (from 11 to 15 times weekly); Montego Bay (from 13 to 14 times weekly); Nassau (from seven to nine times weekly); Liberia (from four to five times weekly); Antigua (from two to three times weekly); Punta Cana (from six to seven times weekly); and Puerto Plata (from five to sixe times weekly).

The airline will also increase service between Toronto-Montreal (from 83 to 91 times weekly); Toronto-Ottawa (from 77 to 85 times weekly); Toronto-Vancouver (from 45 to 52 times weekly); Toronto-Calgary (from 56 to 68 times weekly); Toronto-Winnipeg (from 31 to 38 times weekly); and Toronto-Kelowna (from five to seven times weekly).

“WestJet will increase service from Toronto, our largest hub, by 55 weekly flights this winter,” said Brian Znotins, WestJet Vice-President, Network Planning, Alliances and Corporate Development. “This additional service means business travellers will be able to take advantage of increased frequencies and more convenient schedules from Toronto to Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver, while sun seekers will have more flights to choose from for their winter warmth than ever before.”

As for travel this summer, the airline is enticing travellers with its “greatest sale of the summer”, available for booking now until July 31. Within Canada or to the U.S., travel period runs from Aug. 8, 2017-Feb. 14, 2018 (blackout dates Dec. 20-24, 26-31 and Jan. 1-7). Travel periods for Mexico and the Caribbean run from Aug. 1-Dec. 19, 2017, and for Europe from Sept. 6, 2017-Feb. 15, 2018 (no blackout dates for either).

WestJet encourages travellers to book travel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for lowest fares.