WestJet Secures LaGuardia Slots

Canadian carrier WestJet has confirmed that it has successfully purchased eight slot pairs at New York’s LaGuardia Airport and is now working with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to complete the deal and formalise an operational schedule for the international flights.

“We are very pleased with our successful bid,” said Gregg Saretsky, WestJet President and CEO. “Our growth plans, in which increased business travel in the East figures prominently, includes New York City, Canada's largest international business market and we look forward to providing our guests with frequent, year-round service to the core of the Big Apple.”

The airline was successful in acquiring one of two batches of slots that were made available at the New York airport as part of the deal to allow allow Delta Air Lines and US Airways to exchange some of their operating authorities at the airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” added Gregg Saretsky. “LaGuardia airport is slot controlled and therefore, access is otherwise strictly limited. Our ability to now serve New York demonstrates we are focused on delivering on our business traveller strategy."

WestJet previously served LaGuardia in 2004 but suspended its services within a year after revising its network strategy. New York is already well linked to Canada with more than 2.4 million O&D passengers travelling between Canada and the city’s three main air gateways – JFK International, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International.