"History in the making": WestJet celebrates inaugural flight from Calgary to Tokyo

WestJet on Sunday (April 30) celebrated the departure of flight WS80 from Calgary International Airport (YYC) to Tokyo's Narita International Airport. 

The airline's first-ever service to Asia marks an important milestone for WestJet as the airline reaffirms its Western Canadian growth strategy and commitment to strengthening Alberta's visitor economy.

"We are thrilled to see our new service to Tokyo, Japan take flight as we welcome our newest destination to our 787 intercontinental hub at YYC," stated John Weatherill, WestJet's executive vice-president and chief commercial officer. "Not only does this new route increase opportunities for business, leisure and cargo customers to expand their horizons in Asia, it also provides an exceptional opportunity to welcome transpacific leisure and business travellers direct to Calgary and Alberta."

Tokyo service will operate on the airline's 787 Dreamliner three times per week through October 28, and will return in Spring 2024. 

Guests travelling between Calgary and Tokyo can expect an elevated experience onboard including Western and Japanese inflight meals, Japanese entertainment options and Japanese announcements and menus.

"For decades, Japanese travellers have had a special relationship with Alberta. The Calgary-Tokyo flight represents an important opportunity to rebuild that bridge," added David Goldstein, chief executive officer of Travel Alberta. "This new flight will deliver approximately $1.1B in potential tourism income and 24,000 passenger seats. We look forward to welcoming back this important international market to our beautiful province."

The route is also expected to introduce more Japanese travellers to Alberta's Indigenous tourism scene. 

"The diversity of Indigenous culture on these traditional territories we now call Alberta, is waiting to be shared with guests around the world, but especially the Japanese traveller," stated Shae Bird, CEO, Indigenous Tourism Alberta. "With one in five Japanese travellers expressing interest in our member's offerings, this provides direct access for cultural learning, meaningful connections and lasting relationships with the Japanese market. We look forward to working alongside WestJet in growing Alberta's visitor economy."

WestJet's non-stop flight to Tokyo is one of many new direct services launching this spring. 

Guests travelling out of WestJet's hub in Calgary can also connect to Barcelona, Edinburgh and five other European nonstop destinations. Full schedule details can be found here. 

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