PEI

Cheap WestJet flights welcome in Charlottetown, says airport CEO

The CEO of the Charlottetown airport says it's great to see Westjet trying to enter the no frills market and provide more competition for Canadians.

WestJet has announced plans to start low-cost air service by the end of the year

Islanders could have access to cheap flights if WestJet decides to add Charlottetown to the routes for its new no-frills service. (ACOA)

The CEO of the Charlottetown airport says it's great to see Westjet trying to enter the no frills market and provide more competition for Canadians.

The airline hopes to launch its new service by the end of this year, with a fleet of 10 high-density Boeing 737s.

Doug Newson says the airport would certainly be interested in exploring those options.

Charlottetown airport CEO Doug Newson says price can have an influence on whether someone flies. (Tom Steepe/CBC)

"We realize that price is one factor for a certain part of the market and so, this announcement is exciting, but it is very early and the details have yet to emerge as to what impact, if any, it might have on an airport like Charlottetown," he said.

"We're always working to bring in more options, and provide a better service to keep people flying in and out of Charlottetown."

Compete with Air Canada's Rouge

WestJet has said the routes will compete with Air Canada's low-cost air service, Rouge.

Rouge has one flight from Toronto to Charlottetown that started in April. Another two daily flights will be added in May and a flight from Montreal will launch in June. All those flights will be offered until the end of October.