Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) will join WestJet’s international network during the summer 2024 season, becoming the airline’s second Asia-Pacific destination.

The Canadian carrier launched its inaugural service to the region in April 2023 with flights from Calgary International Airport (YYC) to Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT). The new route to South Korea’s capital will also originate from WestJet’s Calgary hub, operating three times per week.

“Beyond creating greater two-way tourism opportunities, WestJet service between Seoul and Calgary will increase connectivity between western Canada and Asia, generating unique business and cargo opportunities,” says  John Weatherill, WestJet Group executive vice president and CCO.

WestJet’s flights between YYC and ICN will commence on May 17 using Boeing 787 aircraft. The launch coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and South Korea. In addition, the airline will also expand its schedule to NRT next summer, rising from three roundtrips per week to daily.

WestJet will become the third carrier to offer nonstop flights between Canada and South Korea, alongside Air Canada and Korean Air, but it will be the sole operator of Calgary-Seoul flights. The latest schedules filed with OAG show that both Air Canada and Korean Air serve ICN from Toronto Pearson International Airport and Vancouver International Airport year-round, with WestJet also codesharing on the two Korean Air routes.

WestJet says the new YYC-ICN service is part of its wider growth strategy to enhance Calgary’s presence as an intercontinental hub. The airline opted to consolidate all long-haul flying from YYC in late 2022 to create a “single global connecting hub.” However, it will reinstate transatlantic flights from Halifax from next April.

The Halifax Stanfield International Airport services will see the carrier flying to London Gatwick Airport (LGW) on April 28, followed by Dublin Airport (DUB) on June 19 and Edinburgh Airport (EDI) on June 20. Frequencies to LGW and DUB will be 4X-weekly, while EDI will receive three flights per week.

Additionally, WestJet will open seasonal transatlantic service between St. John’s International Airport (YYT) and LGW, marking YYT’s first nonstop service to Europe since 2019. The route will be flown 3X-weekly from May 1 to Oct. 25 using 737-8s.