MESA, Ariz. — Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and WestJet Airlines have announced direct service between Phoenix’s East Valley and Canada.  This is the second Canadian service announcement in as many weeks for Gateway Airport.  WestJet will operate three nonstop flights each week from Calgary starting on Jan. 19, and one weekly nonstop flight from Edmonton starting on Jan. 21.  Flights can be booked at www.WestJet.com.

“Arizona has long been a destination for Canadian visitors looking to escape the winter cold,” said Mesa Mayor John Giles, Chairman of the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority. “Having direct service to Calgary and Edmonton opens doors for additional tourism and travel dollars for the Phoenix East Valley.”

In addition to international travelers, Canada continues to be the top international employer in Arizona.  These additional routes will provide a significant economic impact because of the increased market access in Arizona and Alberta.

 “Greater Phoenix is a very popular vacation destination for Canadian air travelers and home to a large number of Canadian Companies,” said J. Brian O’Neill, A.A.E., Executive Director/CEO of the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority.  “WestJet’s new nonstop flights to Calgary and Edmonton from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport will serve as a catalyst for even stronger connectivity.”

For more information about Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport please visit www.gatewayairport.com.

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About Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport:
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is owned and operated by the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority (PMGAA).  PMGAA consists of representation from Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Gila River Indian Community, Phoenix, and Apache Junction. Gateway Airport offers nonstop passenger service to 38 cities via Allegiant and welcomes more than 1.3 million passengers each year.  Corporate, military and general aviation customers are served by Gateway Aviation Services, a 24-hour full service FBO located just north of the passenger terminal.

About WestJet:

We are proud to be Canada's most trusted airline, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country’s top employers. WestJet, and our regional airline, WestJet Encore, offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Through our partnerships with airlines representing every major region of the world, we offer our guests more than 150 destinations in more than 20 countries. Leveraging WestJet’s extensive network, flight schedule and remarkable guest experience, WestJet Vacations delivers affordable, flexible travel experiences with a variety of accommodation options for every guest. Members of our WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Our members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of WestJet flights and vacations packages on any day, at any time, to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods  ̶  even on seat sales. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.  

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority Media Contact:
Ryan Smith, Strategic Communications/Government Relations
Phone: 480-988-7617
Email: rsmith@gatewayairport.com