Welcome To Scotland, Eh
WestJet is gearing up for 2022 with the addition of non-stop flights to Edinburgh and Glasgow. Service between Toronto and Edinburgh is set to begin on June 2, 2022; while flights to Glasgow from Toronto will start on May 20, 2022.
John Weatherill, chief commercial officer for WestJet, said: “As we continue to rebuild our international network, we’re pleased to offer our guests new options to connect via our Toronto hub for business and leisure to these incredible cities.”
Weatherill continued: “This spring, guests on both sides of the Atlantic will benefit from more choices and lower fares when travelling between Canada and Scotland.”
The news that WestJet is launching new service to Scotland in 2022 comes following the recent announcement that Canada is now on the U.K.’s ‘Green List’ which allows them to travel to Scotland without needing to quarantine, although visitors arriving from Canada must follow the latest Scottish Government guidance which now currently includes the need to complete a passenger locator form, take a COVID-19 test before travelling, and book and pay for a PCR test.
Additional information on these requirements is available at https://quarantinehotel.ctmportal.co.uk/Quarantine/Home.aspx?country=Scotland or by going to https://www.visitscotland.com/campaign/travel-protocols/ .
Scotland’s Minister of Transport, Graeme Day said: “I welcome WestJet’s commitment to Scotland and the launch of their new services to Toronto from both Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports.”
Minister Day continued: “It is encouraging to see airlines develop their connectivity with Scotland at this time. Canada is an important market for Scotland, and I am sure these routes will be welcomed by both business travellers and tourists in both our countries. I also welcome the use of WestJet’s latest generation aircraft that will help minimize carbon emissions. I wish WestJet and the airports every success with these routes.”
Visit Scotland’s head of engagement, Denise Hill observed that: “The announcement … that WestJet will launch Toronto services direct into both Glasgow and Edinburgh in spring 2022 is hugely welcome for the recovery of Scotland’s inbound tourism markets.”
Hill added that: “With Canada now a green list destination, making it easier for Canadians to visit, this adds further grounds for optimism for the return of one of Scotland’s key international markets.”
And she concluded: “VisitScotland has enjoyed a very positive partnership with WestJet in promoting their continuing Halifax to Glasgow service and we look forward to working closely with them to make these additional services a success also. With a strong latent demand for travel, these new air routes present an opportune moment for Scottish tourism businesses to re-engage with this important market.”
VisitScotland’s senior market development manager for long haul markets, Gwen Raez said that: “International visitors are an important market for Scotland, with Canada providing a significant contribution to Scottish tourism over the years.”
And Raez pointed out that: “Pre-COVID-19, Canada ranked first among Scotland’s top international markets in terms of the average number of regions visited per trip and were the ninth largest international source market by number of visits.”
By Spring 2022, WestJet will offer service to two Scottish destinations with service from Toronto to Edinburgh and Glasgow and the resumption of flights between Halifax and Glasgow.
Said Weatherill: “We’re looking forward to welcoming Edinburgh to our international network and strengthening travel and tourism between our two countries.”
And he pointed out that: “Whether travellers are looking to discover Edinburgh’s enchanting castles and cobbled streets or exploring the vibrance of Toronto and beyond, we’re committed to introducing new destinations and routes to our network.”
For more on Scotland, go to www.visitscotland.com/enjoy ; and for more on WestJet’s new service to Scotland, go to www.westjet.com .
