WestJet will operate five new nonstop routes for the winter 2026/2027 season, starting as early as November 28, 2026. The new services connect Calgary, Winnipeg, Regina, and Ottawa to sun destinations in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Belize, and Costa Rica, expanding WestJet’s winter network.
New Routes Connect Western and Central Canada with Key Sun Destinations
The new routes include Calgary (YYC) to Mérida, Mexico (MID) launching December 17, 2026, marking WestJet’s first service to Mérida and providing the sole nonstop connection between Western Canada and this Yucatán Peninsula cultural hub. Winnipeg (YWG) will receive weekly nonstop flights to Belize City (BZE) and Punta Cana (PUJ) in the Dominican Republic beginning December
14 and November 28, 2026, respectively. Regina (YQR) starts weekly service to San José del Cabo, Mexico (SJD) on December 14, 2026. Ottawa (YOW) will have weekly nonstop flights to Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) commencing December 20, 2026.
WestJet’s Leadership in Winter Leisure Travel and Fleet Management
John Weatherill, WestJet Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer, said these additions meet strong demand for travel to Mexico and the Latin Caribbean while sustainably managing fleet operations during the peak winter season. He stated, “We are excited to offer more ways for guests to trade their snow boots for sandals in the destinations that matter most to them.” WestJet will serve
50 sun destinations from 15 Canadian cities in winter 2026/2027, reinforcing its status as Canada’s leading leisure airline for warm-weather travel.
Airport Authorities Welcome New WestJet Services
Airport officials expressed support for the new routes. Calgary International Airport highlighted the Mérida flight as a new sunny destination for Calgarians and the only direct service to this city from Western Canada. Winnipeg Airports Authority welcomed the added warm-weather options for Manitoba travelers. Regina International Airport noted the weekly direct flights to San José del Cabo as a valuable addition for Saskatchewan residents. Guanacaste Airport reported 28% growth in Canadian passengers during early 2026 and praised the Ottawa-Liberia
route for increasing connectivity. Los Cabos International Airport and ASUR, representing destinations such as San José del Cabo and Mérida, endorsed WestJet’s expanded service as beneficial to tourism and commerce.
Sunwing Vacations Expands Winter Packages to Complement Routes
Sunwing Vacations, a WestJet Group subsidiary, announced three new winter vacation packages supporting the airline’s expanded route network. This includes first-time Ottawa-Liberia packages and returning options to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and Roatán, Honduras. The winter schedule runs from November 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027, with packages available for purchase on Sunwing.ca.
WestJet Group’s Recent Growth and Network Scope
WestJet marked its 30th anniversary in 2026, having grown from three aircraft and fewer than 250 employees
in 1996 to nearly 200 aircraft and over 14,000 employees after integrating Sunwing in 2025. The airline group connects travelers to more than 100 destinations across the Americas, Caribbean, Europe, and Asia. It remains the top Canadian carrier to Mexico by flight volume and leads in Belize and Liberia during the winter travel period.
Winter 2026/2027 Brings Expanded Leisure Travel Options
Travellers from Calgary, Winnipeg, Regina, and Ottawa will benefit from increased nonstop flight options to popular sun destinations starting winter 2026/2027. The addition of routes such as Calgary-Mérida and Ottawa-Liberia provides direct seasonal access that supports holiday and adventure-seeking passengers swapping cold weather for tropical climates.
These expansions strengthen WestJet’s position as Canada’s foremost leisure airline during the winter peak season.
