WestJet Encore is zeroing in on the throngs of British Columbians that live on the West Coast but work in Alberta.
The regional carrier — a subsidiary of WestJet (TSX: WJA) — launched new services May 12, offering direct flights between Vancouver and Fort McMurray as well as Kelowna and Fort McMurray.
A May 2 report from the B.C. Business Council revealed that as of 2009 — the most recent period data was available — 29,000 people in Alberta’s workforce actually resided in British Columbia.
The study also showed over the past two decades B.C. has seen a net loss of 42,000 people. Half those people moved to Alberta permanently.
John Weatherill, WestJet's director of network and schedule planning, said in a statement the airliner was looking specifically for opportunities to offer more services for people looking to access “the energy sector that is so integral to the local, provincial and national economy."
Air Canada also offers non-stop flights between Vancouver and Fort McMurray. WestJet Encore is offering daily direct flights for comparable prices.
A passenger flying out of Vancouver May 12 would pay about $600 for a roundtrip WestJet Encore flight and about $700 for a roundtrip Air Canada flight.
