Gatwick airport partners with budget airline WestJet as runway expansion report looms
Canadian budget airline WestJet has selected Gatwick as its first English destination from Canada, in a boon to the airport’s expansion campaign.
WestJet’s wide-body Boeing 767-300 aircraft will begin flying the route next year, with the Canadian airports yet to be determined.
WestJet boss Gregg Saretsky said Gatwick is the “ideal airport” for its first English destination, describing it as “well-managed and efficient”.
WestJet follows Norwegian Air Shuttle in offering budget trans-Atlantic airfares.
Meanwhile, Gatwick said yesterday the deal “clearly shows where new runway capacity is needed most”. Gatwick and Heathrow expect to hear before July where the Airports Commission has recommended an expansion is most necessary.
The airport said: “The increase in demand for non-stop travel and the continuing growth of the low cost long haul market are all significant factors in why Gatwick expansion is the option that best meets the UK’s aviation needs.”
Gatwick boss Stewart Wingate added: “Gatwick’s expansion plan is more flexible… it would effectively future proof the UK’s aviation market.”