OREANDA-NEWS. WestJet Airlines, based in Calgary, Canada, will begin new flights between Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Toronto's Pearson International Airport. The daily, nonstop flight will begin in October.

“Phoenix is dedicated to improving its international service,” said Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton. “With WestJet Airline's new flight, we have a greater ability to grow both business and tourism with our friends in Toronto and all of Ontario.”

With the addition of Toronto, WestJet will serve a total of nine Canadian cities from Phoenix including Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Victoria. WestJet will serve the route with a 737-700 aircraft, seating 136 passengers.

“We are always looking for new and better ways to provide Canadians with in-demand destination choices,” said Chris Avery, WestJet's Vice-President, Network Planning, Alliances and Corporate Development. “After this winter of record storms and low temperatures, more Canadians than ever are looking for non-stop routes to sunny U.S. destinations like Phoenix to meet the demand for sunshine and tee times.”

Sky Harbor currently serves 20 international cities with nonstop service, including daily flights to Toronto on Air Canada. Fourteen airlines operate at Phoenix Sky Harbor, including five foreign carriers: Aeromexico, Air Canada, British Airways, Volaris and WestJet.

"WestJet is such an important partner in Phoenix and we value the international nonstop service it brings to Phoenix,” said Acting Aviation Director, Tamie Fisher. “This is a clear indicator that the market is alive and well in Phoenix and that our economy is recovering.”