WestJet makes first scheduled transatlantic flight

WestJet marks a key milestone in its 18-year history tonight with the launch of its first scheduled transatlantic service between Toronto and Dublin, Ireland, with a brief stop in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The flight arrives in Dublin tomorrow at 7 a.m. local time.

“It’s very exciting to think that we are about to take our guests across the Atlantic Ocean for the very first time tonight,” said Gregg Saretsky, WestJet President and CEO.

“This represents a very significant strategic step in the growth of WestJet. As we’ve expanded our reach, grown our fleet and added new products to broaden our appeal to different travel segments, it’s always been a dream of many WestJetters to one day be able to fly our guests to Europe. Today, the dream comes true.”

Announced in November 2013, WestJet offered introductory fares between Toronto and Dublin starting from $199 including taxes, fees and surcharges on all flights in both directions from June 15 to October 5, 2014 – fares which sold out within the first 24 hours. Today, the service is heavily booked and well ahead of projections, recently prompting a three-week extension to October 25, 2014.

“The response on both sides of the Atlantic has been nothing short of phenomenal,” said Gregg Saretsky. “With one in five Newfoundlanders able to trace their ancestry to Ireland, there is a great deal of travel between the two coasts and we are very pleased to have made it more affordable for so many families and friends to be together this summer. This service is about bringing our low fares and remarkable, people-driven guest experience to new routes and new markets including, for the first time, Europe.”

Gregg Saretsky also paid tribute to the hard work and dedication responsible for this milestone. “This is also a very proud moment for all of us,” he said. 

“Over the past 18 years our WestJetters have worked tirelessly to care for our guests, for one another and for our company, and that’s what makes this day so special. Our people have powered this airline across North America , Mexico , the Caribbean and Central America . Today, they’ll bring us all the way to Europe.”

Alison Metcalfe , Executive Vice President, United States and Canada Tourism Ireland, said, “Tourism Ireland warmly welcomes the launch of WestJet’s service from Toronto, via St John’s, Newfoundland, to Dublin. The island of Ireland has a wealth of experiences for Canadians to enjoy on a relaxing vacation – from cities bustling with vibrant culture and rich history to spectacularly scenic coastlines and mountain regions. Canada is one of our top 10 markets and is a market that is set to develop further in the years ahead. We are working with WestJet to maximize the promotion of this welcome new service.” 

“We are delighted with the overwhelming success of this new service to Dublin that clearly demonstrates the significant demand that exists for travel between our province and Ireland ,” said Keith Collins , President and CEO, St. John’s International Airport Authority. “This improved accessibility between the two regions will strengthen both personal and business relations, and will expose new opportunities for trade on both sides of the Atlantic.”

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Foynes air show to highlight Limerick aviation legacy

FOYNES is set to stage one of Ireland’s most spectacular air shows in July when a historic moment in the Limerick port’s remarkable contribution to global aviation will be celebrated. Toaiseach Enda Kenny will be among the many who will flock to the West Limerick town on July 5 and 6 as it celebrates the moment 75 years ago that the Pan American Airways ‘Yankee Clipper’ flying-boat made history with the first commercial transatlantic crossing to Foynes. The Foynes/Shannon 75th Anniversary Airshow will be a key element of a weekend tribute to the airmen who crossed the Atlantic on the historic flight.

Air travel in those days was the preserve of the elite, as illustrated by the $675 fare – estimated to be the equivalent of over $11,000 (over €8,000) today – for a return ticket on the early flights into Foynes. It took anything from 20 hours to reach Foynes from New York, via Newfoundland with passengers including members of the royal families, movie stars, military personnel and politicians. The inaugural passenger flight to Foynes was largely used as a promotional opportunity with the passenger list dominated by media and Pan Am representatives. This historic moment at the then ‘Shannon’ Airport will be celebrated with the family festival, which will run on Saturday and Sunday July 5 and 6 and will also double as the 25th anniversary of the opening of Foynes Flying Boat Museum.

The celebrations were officially announced at the weekend at Shannon Airport to coincide with yet another key milestone for aviation on the estuary – the 75th anniversary of the first aircraft, the Irish Air Corps Aero Anson A43, landing at Rineanna, which is now Shannon Airport. The high point of the July festival will be a three-hour airshow on Sunday, July 6 when over 20 acts from Ireland, the UK and Europe are booked to appear and Taoiseach Enda Kenny will unveil a plaque to all who used the Foynes Air Base. The festival will also include a dare-devil display at dusk on Saturday by the UK based Breitling Wing Walkers as well as a Sky Pyro Show and a fireworks display over the river and harbour.

Shannon Airport Chairman Rose Hynes said the 75th anniversary was not just significant for Shannon and Ireland but for aviation internationally. “The name Shannon is recognized and respected across the world of aviation as it has such a pivotal place in the history of air-travel. It was the first European gateway for transatlantic flights and so much history also followed.

Flying Boat Museum Director Margaret O’Shaughnessy said the anniversary weekend would be one to remember.

“Foynes and Shannon Airport are the home of Irish aviation. The history we have is second to none here in Ireland and has few rivals internationally.We have kept our aviation history alive here to this day with the Foynes Flying Boat Museum, which is also celebrating its birthday on the same weekend.”

“For the first time in 70 years, the control tower at Foynes will be active again. We will have thousands here on both days but huge crowds, in particular, for the air show,” she said.

During the late 1930’s and early 1940’s, Foynes hosted many politicians, dignitaries and royalty, among them Charles Lindberg, John F Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt, Bob Hope and Ernest Hemingway. Gracie Fields was even known to have sang quayside for staff.

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