WestJet will begin selling low-cost airfares between Toronto and Bermuda soon, likely by month’s end according to an official at the Canadian airline.  Flights begin in May. It is the first time any carrier has broken Air Canada’s six decade monopoly between the two countries.

            Bermuda’s Premier Ewart Brown, who is responsible for the country’s tourism and transport policy, said the cost of fares from Toronto are down 17% over the past year and he expects the addition of WestJet to send fares even lower.

           “Non-stop capacity between Bermuda and Canada has dropped 25% over the past three years,” said Premier Brown.  “Conversely, demand has been steadily increasing during the same period, emphasizing the need for additional seat capacity.  WestJet’s new service will add seat capacity and provide lower fares.”

            When low-cost carrier JetBlue entered the Bermuda market in 2006 other airlines serving the American northeast were forced to competitively lower their fares, making a Bermuda vacation more attractive to cost conscious travellers.  Visitor numbers spiked.  Bermuda tourism industry officials hope for the same outcome when WestJet arrives from Canada.

            “ For many years Air Canada has enjoyed a competitive-free environment resulting in often sold out flights and high airfares which both our visitors and locals had to endure,” said John Harvey head of the Bermuda Hotels Association.  “The presence of WestJet will cause us to be more creative in the Canadian market and hopefully attract and capture new visitors from this important region.”

  Bermuda is part of WestJet’s expanded schedule for summer 2010.  The Toronto service will operate on a Boeing 737 aircraft equipped with leather seats and live television for each passenger.  The WestJet 737 fleet can carry between 119 and 166 passengers at capacity.

The frequency of flights will not be known publicly until later this month a WestJet official explained. However airline executive vice president Hugh Dunleavy said, “We look forward to bringing Canadians to the home of pink sand beaches, gorgeous turquoise waters and world-class golf.  For Bermudians, we are proud to offer non-stop service directly to friends and family in Toronto and throughout WestJet’s 30-city Canadian network.”

            Las Vegas, Vancouver, Halifax and Montreal are among the cities to which WestJet offers connecting service through Toronto.