WestJet adds new sun destination

WestJet, Canada’s second largest airline, is trying to capitalize from the high value of the Canadian dollar and the expected increase in the number of citizens set to head south during the winter months by operating a new direct route to the island of St. Lucia. Direct flights will run once each week, from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, starting on December 16, 2007. This comes after a number of other Caribbean countries were added to WestJet’s list of destinations, such as Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. The discount carrier will also operate flights to Mexico, starting this year. Other planned destinations—which will become operational in February 2008—include Nassau (Bahamas), as well as Orlando and Fort Lauderdale in Florida. These routes will open up just in time for the February ski break, one of the busiest time of the year, when colleges, universities and many secondary schools in Canada give students a week off.

St. Lucia lies in the eastern Caribbean and has a population of just below 161,000. The island country’s national currency is the East Caribbean dollar, which is also used by seven other islands in this part of the Caribbean. St. Lucia is part of the British Commonwealth, and as such, the country’s official head of state is Queen Elizabeth II. English, French and Creole are all widely spoken languages in this country, making it an ideal tourist destination for North Americans.

WestJet is based in Calgary, but the airline has expanded to offer transborder flights from a number of cities in Canada, including Toronto and Hamilton. One-way tickets from Toronto-Pearson, to St. Lucia-Hewanorra cost $269.00, at the current seat-sale rate. In order to receive this price, tickets must be booked online, through WestJet’s website.

www.westjet.com