WestJet Hits The Jackpot in Vegas
If you listen closely, you can hear the champagne corks popping as Las Vegas and WestJet celebrate the fact that the Canadian carrier deliver 1 million passengers to McCarran International Airport in 2013 and will also be increasing its nonstop service into Las Vegas with 18 additional weekly flights starting this summer. Beginning in June, WestJet will boost its Vegas offerings in multiple cities to a total of 76 weekly, non-stop flights.
John Weatherill, WestJet’s director, network and schedule planning, observed: “In 2013, WestJet became the first foreign airline to carry over 1 million guests to/from Las Vegas in a single year — proof that the destination is as popular as ever for Canadians.”
And Weatherill continued: “We’re pleased to announce a major expansion of our Las Vegas service with our summer 2014 schedule. WestJet will make it easier than ever for Canadians to get away to the excitement of Las Vegas.”
Rosemary A. Vassiliadis, director of aviation for Clark County, NV, said: “McCarran International Airport has welcomed flights from outside the United States for 46 years, starting out small but enjoying tremendous growth over the past several years. I am elated to see WestJet become our first international airline partner to exceed 1 million annual passengers, and I am even more excited about the additional service it will offer to and from Canada in 2014.”
Canada is the number one source of international visitors to Las Vegas. Visitors from the market totalled 1.9 million in 2012. The new service will add 37% more seats from June through August and generate approximately $149.3 million in annual non-gaming economic impact.
Cathy Tull, senior vice president of marketing for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), said: “WestJet has been an invaluable partner for years, and we are extremely pleased it continues to increase its investment in Las Vegas. These new flight additions illustrate the demand for Las Vegas among Canadian travellers and reiterate WestJet’s confidence in Las Vegas as a good business decision.”
