Key Takeaways
• WestJet launches five new Latin America routes from Calgary, Toronto, and Montréal for winter 2025/2026 season.
• Calgary hub offers 15% more seat capacity with frequent flights to Panama City, Guadalajara, Tepic, Havana, Managua.
• New routes boost leisure travel, business ties, and cargo services between Canada and Latin America markets.
WestJet’s Major Expansion: New Latin America Flights Boost Travel from Calgary, Toronto, and Montréal
On July 8, 2025, WestJet, one of Canada’s leading airlines, announced a sweeping expansion of its flight network to Latin America and the Caribbean. This move marks the largest network growth in WestJet’s history and is already reshaping travel options for people in Calgary, Toronto, and Montréal. The expansion brings new destinations, more frequent flights, and greater flexibility for both leisure and business travelers. Here’s a detailed look at what this means for travelers, businesses, and the broader Canadian airline industry.
WestJet’s Expansion: Who, What, When, Where, and Why
Who: WestJet, a major Canadian airline, is at the center of this expansion. The airline’s leadership, including Executive Vice-President John Weatherill and Vice-President Daniel Fajardo, have been vocal about the company’s commitment to affordable travel and better connections for Canadians.
What: The airline is launching flights to five new international destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean for the 2025/2026 winter season. These new routes are part of a broader plan to increase seat capacity, add more frequent flights, and offer more choices for travelers.
When: The new routes and increased frequencies begin rolling out in December 2025, with bookings for some flights opening as early as July 14, 2025. The expanded winter schedule is set to run through April 2026, with some routes possibly becoming year-round depending on demand.
Where: The expansion focuses on major Canadian hubs—Calgary, Toronto, and Montréal—but also includes new routes from Vancouver, Winnipeg, Quebec City, and Thunder Bay. The new international destinations are Panama City (Panama), Guadalajara (Mexico), Tepic (Mexico), Havana (Cuba), and Managua (Nicaragua).
Why: WestJet’s expansion is driven by growing demand for leisure travel, increased competition among Canadian airlines, and the need to support business and trade links between Canada 🇨🇦 and Latin America. The airline aims to make it easier for Canadians to reach sun destinations and for businesses to access key markets.
Key Details: New Destinations and Routes
WestJet’s new flights open up five international destinations for the 2025/2026 winter season:
- Panama City, Panama (PTY)
- Guadalajara, Mexico (GDL)
- Tepic (Riviera Nayarit), Mexico (TPQ)
- Havana, Cuba (HAV)
- Managua, Nicaragua (MGA)
From its main hub in Calgary, WestJet now offers non-stop flights to all five of these new destinations. The airline is also adding seasonal routes to Cozumel and Puerto Plata and increasing the frequency of flights to Mexico City, which is now available year-round.
Calgary’s Expanded Service:
– Calgary–Panama City: 4 times a week (Dec 13, 2025–Apr 25, 2026)
– Calgary–Guadalajara: 2 times a week (Dec 7, 2025–Apr 12, 2026)
– Calgary–Tepic: 1 time a week (Dec 13, 2025–Apr 25, 2026)
– Calgary–Puerto Plata: 1 time a week (Dec 14, 2025–Apr 12, 2026)
– Calgary–Cozumel: 1 time a week (Dec 20, 2025–Apr 11, 2026)
– Calgary–Mexico City: 4 times a week, year-round
Toronto and Montréal:
– Toronto–Havana: 2 times a week (Dec 18, 2025–Apr 23, 2026)
– Montréal–Managua: 1 time a week (Dec 18, 2025–Apr 2, 2026)
– Montréal–Samana: 2 times a week (Dec 11, 2025–Apr 12, 2026)
Other Notable New Routes:
– Vancouver–Liberia (Costa Rica): 1 time a week (Dec 12, 2025–Apr 24, 2026)
– Winnipeg–Liberia: 1 time a week (Dec 19, 2025–Apr 25, 2026)
– Quebec City–Montego Bay: 1 time a week (Dec 6, 2025–Apr 11, 2026)
– Thunder Bay–Punta Cana: 1 time a week (Dec 16, 2025–Apr 7, 2026)
This expansion means that travelers from Calgary now have direct access to more sun destinations than ever before, with a 15% increase in seat capacity to these locations compared to last winter.
Network Growth and Capacity
WestJet’s network for the 2025/2026 winter season is impressive:
- 305 routes in total
- 62 sun destinations served
- Over 4,300 weekly departures to 106 destinations at peak winter
- 6% increase in seat capacity to Latin America and the Caribbean compared to last winter
The airline is also reconfiguring aircraft inherited from Sunwing and Swoop to match WestJet’s standard layout. This move keeps overall capacity steady while allowing for more frequent flights.
Cargo and Business Impacts
The expanded network isn’t just about vacation travel. WestJet’s new routes are expected to boost cargo services, especially for goods like fresh food and car parts. The return of direct flights between Calgary and Mexico City is especially important for Alberta’s business community. These flights help Canadian companies trade with Mexico 🇲🇽 and reach some of the largest consumer markets in North America.
Daniel Fajardo, WestJet’s Vice-President of Network and Schedule Planning, said the airline’s focus on Canada–Mexico connectivity will bring economic benefits to both countries. The increased cargo capacity also helps exporters and importers, especially in Western Canada, move goods more quickly and reliably.
What This Means for Travelers
For Canadian travelers, especially those in Calgary, Toronto, and Montréal, WestJet’s expansion brings several benefits:
- More Choices: With new destinations and more frequent flights, travelers have greater flexibility when planning trips to Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Direct Flights: Non-stop service to places like Panama City, Guadalajara, and Havana means less time spent in airports and more time enjoying the destination.
- Competitive Prices: Increased competition among airlines often leads to better deals for travelers.
- Business Travel: Direct flights to Mexico City and other business hubs make it easier for Canadian companies to connect with partners and clients.
Travelers can book flights on WestJet’s official website or through travel agents. Bookings for some new routes, such as Winnipeg–Liberia, open on July 14, 2025, with travel starting in December 2025.
Tourism and Trade: A Two-Way Street
WestJet’s expanded network is expected to boost tourism flows between Canada 🇨🇦 and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. More flights mean more visitors, which is good news for hotels, tour operators, and local businesses in both regions.
For Canadian exporters, the new cargo capacity makes it easier to send goods to Latin America. This is especially important for industries that rely on fast shipping, such as agriculture and automotive parts.
Industry and Policy Context
WestJet’s move is part of a larger trend among Canadian airlines to increase international leisure capacity after the pandemic. The airline’s focus on Calgary as a hub takes advantage of its home base and supports Alberta’s economic interests, especially in trade with Mexico and Latin America.
John Weatherill, WestJet’s Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer, said the airline is committed to offering affordable travel and better connections for Canadians. This expansion helps WestJet stand out as a leading leisure carrier in Canada, especially for sun destinations.
Aviation experts say WestJet’s aggressive expansion is a smart response to growing demand for leisure travel and rising competition from other Canadian airlines. Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that the airline’s strategy will likely pay off, especially as more Canadians look for direct flights to warm destinations during the winter months.
Multiple Perspectives: What Stakeholders Are Saying
Travel Industry:
Travel agents and tour operators welcome the increased connectivity. They expect the new routes to boost sales of vacation packages and fill more hotel rooms in popular sun destinations.
Business Community:
Business leaders in Alberta and across Canada applaud the return of direct flights to Mexico City. These flights make it easier to trade, invest, and build partnerships with companies in Mexico and beyond.
Travelers:
Many travelers are excited about the new options and competitive prices. However, some have raised concerns about possible congestion at major airports like Calgary due to the higher number of departures.
Background: How We Got Here
WestJet’s last direct service between Calgary and Mexico City ended in 2018. The return of this route is a big step in restoring important business and leisure links between Canada 🇨🇦 and Mexico 🇲🇽.
The current expansion follows WestJet’s integration of Sunwing and Swoop operations. By combining these fleets and networks, WestJet can offer more flights and better service while keeping costs under control.
Booking and Travel Procedures
Travelers interested in the new routes can book flights directly through WestJet’s official website. The site provides up-to-date schedules, booking options, and travel updates. For those who prefer working with a travel agent, bookings can also be made through authorized agents.
It’s important for travelers to check entry requirements for their destination. Many Latin American and Caribbean countries have specific visa or travel document rules for Canadian citizens and residents. The Government of Canada’s travel advice and advisories page is a reliable source for the latest information on visas, health requirements, and safety tips for each country.
For travelers who need to apply for a visa, it’s best to start the process early. Each country has its own forms and requirements, and processing times can vary. For example, Canadians traveling to Cuba must fill out a tourist card, which is usually provided by the airline or travel agent but can also be obtained from the Cuban consulate.
Future Outlook: What’s Next for WestJet and Canadian Travel
The expanded winter schedule is set to run through April 2026. WestJet is closely watching demand and may adjust flight frequencies or add new destinations if there is enough interest. Some routes could become year-round if they prove popular.
Aviation analysts believe that WestJet’s focus on Latin America and the Caribbean will continue, especially as more Canadians seek sun destinations during the winter. The airline’s ability to quickly adjust its network gives it an edge in a competitive market.
Practical Tips for Travelers
- Book Early: With new routes and increased demand, flights may fill up quickly, especially during peak travel periods.
- Check Entry Requirements: Visit the Government of Canada’s travel advice and advisories for up-to-date information on visas and travel documents.
- Monitor Flight Schedules: WestJet may adjust schedules based on demand, so check for updates before your trip.
- Consider Travel Insurance: With more international travel, it’s wise to have insurance that covers health, cancellations, and unexpected events.
Implications for Immigration and Mobility
WestJet’s expanded network makes it easier for people to move between Canada 🇨🇦 and Latin America, whether for short visits, business, or longer stays. The new routes support family visits, student exchanges, and business travel, all of which contribute to stronger ties between countries.
For immigrants and newcomers in Canada, especially those with roots in Latin America or the Caribbean, the new flights offer more options to visit family or bring relatives for visits. The increased connectivity also supports cultural exchange and helps people maintain important personal and business relationships.
Conclusion: A New Era for Canadian Travel
WestJet’s expansion into Latin America and the Caribbean is a major development for Canadian travelers, businesses, and the airline industry. With more destinations, frequent flights, and better cargo options, the airline is meeting the needs of a changing market. The focus on Calgary as a hub highlights the city’s growing role in connecting Canada 🇨🇦 to the world.
As the winter 2025/2026 season approaches, travelers and stakeholders should keep an eye on WestJet’s official channels for the latest updates. The airline’s bold move is set to make travel between Canada and Latin America easier, more affordable, and more enjoyable for everyone.
For more information on booking, schedules, and travel requirements, visit WestJet’s official website and the Government of Canada’s travel advice and advisories.
Learn Today
WestJet → A major Canadian airline expanding its international flight network for winter 2025/2026.
Seat Capacity → The total number of passenger seats available on flights over a specific period.
Latin America → Geographic region comprising countries in Central and South America served by new routes.
Non-stop flights → Flights that travel directly to the destination without intermediate stops.
Cargo Services → Air transport of goods, including fresh food and car parts, alongside passenger flights.
This Article in a Nutshell
WestJet’s historic expansion opens direct flights to five Latin American destinations starting December 2025. Calgary gains 15% more seats. The airline boosts travel and trade with new routes from major Canadian cities, enhancing connectivity and business opportunities across the Americas for winter 2025/2026.
— By VisaVerge.com
