WestJet will introduce five new weekly flights during the winter 2026/2027 season connecting Canadian cities to popular sun destinations. The new routes include Calgary (YYC) to Mérida, Mexico (MID) starting December 17, 2026; Winnipeg (YWG) to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ) from November 28, 2026; Winnipeg to Belize City, Belize (BZE) beginning December 14, 2026; Regina (YQR) to San José del Cabo, Mexico (SJD) starting December 14, 2026; and Ottawa (YOW) to Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) commencing December 20, 2026. Each will operate on a weekly basis.
Calgary–Mérida Route Opens New Non-Stop Link for Western Canada
The Calgary to Mérida route is WestJet’s first direct service to Mérida and
the only non-stop flight connecting Western Canada to this Yucatán Peninsula city. Mérida is recognized for its safety, rich cultural history, architecture, and cuisine. This new flight provides Western Canadian travellers new access to the cultural capital of the Yucatán region.
WestJet Cites Rising Demand and Sustainable Scheduling Strategy
John Weatherill, WestJet Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer, stated the new routes address increasing demand for travel options in Mexico and the Latin Caribbean. He noted the additions allow WestJet to expand its winter schedule sustainably while effectively managing its fleet. Weatherill said, “These additions support the growing demand for options in Mexico and the Latin Caribbean, while
sustainably expanding our schedule and managing our fleet during the peak winter travel season.” He added excitement about providing guests with more opportunities to choose sun destinations important to them.
Airport Authorities Welcome Expanding Connectivity
Stakeholders at the involved airports expressed strong support for the new routes. Calgary International Airport emphasized WestJet’s unmatched direct services and its importance for winter sun travel. Winnipeg Airports Authority expressed enthusiasm about increased warm-weather flight options, valuing WestJet’s partnership. Regina International Airport welcomed the new San José del Cabo service, highlighting it as a convenient winter travel option. ASUR, operator of Mérida Airport, praised the new Calgary connection as
a unique addition to the Yucatán Peninsula, confident in its success. Los Cabos International Airport noted the new Regina route as a reinforcement of Canadian connectivity. Guanacaste Airport reported a 28% increase in Canadian passenger traffic in the first half of 2026 and confirmed WestJet as the Canadian airline with the most direct routes to Guanacaste. Belize’s tourism officials viewed the Winnipeg–Belize City route as a positive sign of air connectivity growth and confidence in the destination. Costa Rican authorities welcomed the Ottawa to Liberia flight, anticipating increased travel convenience and tourism expansion.
Sunwing Vacations Expands Winter Packages Alongside Route Growth
Complementing WestJet’s route expansion, Sunwing Vacations has
launched three new winter vacation packages for 2026/2027. These include returning destinations Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic and Roatán, Honduras, as well as a new offering between Ottawa and Liberia, Costa Rica. The winter package schedule runs from November 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027, with bookings available on Sunwing.ca.
WestJet Group Strengthens Leadership in Canadian Leisure Travel
WestJet Group, incorporating WestJet Airlines, WestJet Vacations, Vacances WestJet Québec, and Sunwing Vacations, operates nearly 200 aircraft connecting over 100 destinations worldwide. Since its 1996 launch with three aircraft, WestJet pioneered low-cost travel in Canada, increasing the country’s flying population by over 50%. The 2025 integration with Sunwing expanded
the group’s workforce to over 14,000 employees and made WestJet the leading Canadian leisure airline and largest vacation provider.
Passenger Benefits Include Expanded Sun Destination Access
Passengers will have direct weekly service to five vacation spots, enhancing options for winter travel across Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America from Western and Central Canada. WestJet will serve 50 sun destinations from 15 Canadian cities during the winter peak, more than any other Canadian airline. This gives travellers greater access to diverse sun destinations with convenient non-stop flights.
Canadian Travel to Guanacaste Shows Strong Growth
Canadian passenger traffic at Guanacaste Airport in Costa Rica rose 28% in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous
year. WestJet’s expanding route network contributes to increased tourism and economic activity in destinations like Guanacaste. This growth complements WestJet’s historical development, from a small regional airline to a major international leisure carrier serving more than 100 destinations across four continents.
