WestJet coming to MSP this summer to provide flights to Canada
A new airline is coming to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, or MSP, to provide flights to Edmonton, Alberta five times per week starting June 2.
WestJet, the second-largest Canadian air carrier, which provides flights to 110 destinations in 24 countries, announced Monday that the service will support Minnesota’s business connections to Canada, the state’s top export market, according to a press release.
The Edmonton-Minnesota route was serviced by Delta Air Line, MSP’s largest carrier, prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The route, along with many others, was dropped during the pandemic and has not been serviced since, according to Jeff Lea, strategic communications manager for the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which owns and operates MSP.
Delta is a codeshare partner with WestJet, which means that the airlines sell seats on each other’s flights and share all revenues from those flights. While WestJet’s Edmonton route will only be serviced with one plane, the airline could potentially expand its presence on MSP and begin offering more flights in the future.
“With WestJet’s expansive network across Canada, we’re hopeful the airline will find more opportunities to grow service at MSP,” said Lea.
Edmonton is the capital of the western Canadian province of Alberta. According to the press release, the airline will support “important business connections,” especially in agriculture and energy sectors.
“The new service to Edmonton will make travel easier and faster between Minnesota, the broader Midwest, and all of western Canada, strengthening partnerships and opening new opportunities between people, communities and businesses,” said Ariel Delouya, Canada’s consul general in Minneapolis.
WestJet has been operating since 1996 and primarily services Boeing Next Generation 737s and 737 Max aircraft. It will become the 16th airline operating at MSP this year, and Edmonton will be the sixth Canadian city destination with non-stop service from the airport. Booking is currently open from June through October at westjet.com.
