WestJet Encore Expands Service From Nanaimo, Providing More Access to Sun

WestJet Encore Expands Service From Nanaimo, Providing More Access to Sun

WestJet today announced the launch of new daily service between Nanaimo and Vancouver. The service will be operated by WestJet’s fleet
of Bombardier Q400 aircraft.

“The community has been asking for this service for several years, so we are thrilled to make
this announcement today,” says Nanaimo Airport Commission Chair Lucie Gosselin. “People
who live and work in Tofino, Ucluelet and elsewhere in Central Vancouver Island gain easier
access to a network of non-stop flights across Canada, the US, and sun destinations including
Hawaii and Mexico.”

The Q-400 aircraft has 78 seats and will have a travel time of about 15 minutes.
The new daily flight starts Thursday, December 14, 2017. It will arrive at Nanaimo Airport (YCD)
at 12:38 p.m. and depart for Vancouver at 1:10 p.m. This will be in addition to WestJet’s two
daily flights to Calgary, and to Air Canada’s daily flight to Calgary and nine daily Air Canada
Express flights from Nanaimo to Vancouver.

It’s convenient, and faster and affordable, to fly out of Nanaimo to start a trip rather than
worry about catching a ferry and then getting to the airport in Vancouver.
The new daily service has many benefits for the West Coast and the rest of the Central Island,
including:

• Making travel more convenient within B.C., to other parts of Canada, and to the West
Coast of the U.S.

From Vancouver, travellers have direct access to Kelowna, Prince George, Edmonton,
Calgary, Winnipeg and Toronto, as well as Los Angeles and San Francisco, and many other
destinations

• Boosting the economy and creating even more opportunities for business owners,
investors and workers

With direct connections from Vancouver, new markets, customers and jobs can be
pursued from a base in Tofino or Ucluelet.

• Increasing the West Coast’s profile around the world

Canada’s two largest airlines will be promoting flights to the Central Island, in addition to
the marketing done by Nanaimo Airport. This will help the Tofino and Ucluelet tourism and
other business sectors and may help attract more investment in the region

“Developing service is key to Nanaimo Airport’s continued growth to ensure safe, reliable
transportation for Central Vancouver Island residents,” says Mike Hooper, President and CEO of
Nanaimo Airport. “This announcement is a major indicator of how strongly the Mid-Island
region is supporting WestJet Encore service.”

Since 2006, passenger volumes at Nanaimo Airport have more than doubled.

To continue providing the safe, affordable and convenient service that has made YCD the
Central Island’s airport of choice, the commission is planning a multi-million-dollar expansion of
the air terminal building. The expansion will enhance customer comfort and provide more space
for baggage and security screening.