OREANDA-NEWS. Miami International Airport celebrated its newest international route on October 29 with WestJet’s inaugural flight from Miami to Calgary. The new non-stop route will be served by four weekly flights through December 14 and expand to six weekly flights beginning December 16, utilizing WestJet’s Next-Generation Boeing 737 aircraft that seat up to 174 passengers.

The leading Canadian low-cost carrier has provided service between MIA and Toronto since 2009, and the addition of service from Canada’s fifth-largest metropolitan area provides travelers with another key destination in North America. In 2012, Canada ranked as MIA’s number seven international market with nearly 800,000 total passengers. On hand to celebrate the inaugural departure and cut the ceremonial ribbon were: Miami-Dade Aviation Department (MDAD) Director Emilio T. Gonz?lez; MDAD Deputy Director Ken Pyatt; MDAD Marketing Division Director Chris Mangos; WestJet Station Manager Annastasha Storr; Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau President Bill Talbert; and Canada Border Services Agency Liaison Officer Mary-Teresa Glynn.

“WestJet is a valued business partner and we are thrilled they have chosen to expand their network between Canada and MIA with the new Calgary route,” said Miami-Dade Aviation Director Emilio T. Gonz?lez. “With MIA now offering non-stop service to Calgary, Montr?al and Toronto, we look forward to welcoming additional Canadian visitors to Miami-Dade County.”