WestJet adds 3 direct flights from Halifax to Europe for 2024

WestJet is bringing back direct flights to Europe from Halifax in 2024 for the spring and summer season.

The Calgary-based airline announced a number of new routes for next year on Wednesday.

The three destinations include London (Gatwick), Edinburgh and Dublin.

Flights to London begin April 28 and will run four times a week.

Flights to Dublin begin June 19 and will run three times a week.

Flights to Edinburgh begin June 20 and will also run three times a week.

Announcement 'huge from a tourism perspective'

WestJet cancelled its summer 2023 European fights from Halifax in January because of issues over staffing and inflation. The company said at the time the cancellations would be temporary.

Marie Manning, vice-president of business development and chief commercial officer for Halifax Stanfield International Airport, said it was an exciting day for the company.

"Having these three connections, transatlantic connections, is huge from a tourism perspective and an economic development perspective," Manning told reporters Thursday.

Sarah Leslie, who was at the airport at the same time, said it's encouragingsee those transatlantic flights offered from Halifax.

"It's good, good for the people, it makes it a lot easier to travel out through here instead of traveling through Toronto where it's crammed and busy all the time," Leslie said.