Local dignitaries in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island greet the inaugural flight passengers arriving on WestJet from Toronto, Canada on November 2, 2009. Photo: Derek Carroll
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Freeport, Bahamas - WestJet today launched their new non-stop service between
Toronto, Canada and Freeport,
Grand Bahama Island. The inaugural flight departed Toronto's Pearson International Airport at
10:30 a.m. and arrived approximately at 1:40pm in Freeport. 120 persons were on board for the inaugural flight.
The
Ministry of Tourism hosted a welcome reception at the airport complete
with red carpet arrival, Junkanoo performers, and a brief reception
with refreshments. On hand to welcome the WestJet group was Minister of
Tourism and Aviation the Hon Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace,
Minister of Works and Transport the
Hon Neko Grant,
Minister
of State for Finance and Public Service the
Hon Zhivargo Laing; Chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority; Hannes
Babak, President of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce, Greg Moss;
Bishop Sobig Kemp, President of the Grand Bahama Christian Council; and
and many other prominent business persons, and members of the Ministry
of Tourism.
The following is from a a press release issued today from WestJet:
"Freeport is one of the most popular destinations in the
Bahamas, second only to WestJet's other Bahamian destination,
Nassau," said
Hugh Dunleavy,
WestJet Executive Vice-President of Strategy and Planning. "Just a
little bit less populated than its neighbour, Freeport has quiet
beaches just waiting for WestJet guests to claim for themselves. Sounds
like the perfect way to escape a Canadian winter!"
WestJet will fly between
Toronto and Freeport twice per week from now until
April 30, 2010.
The WestJet Team and Bahamas Minister of Tourism and Aviationm the Hon. Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace and Executive Vice President of the Grand Bahama Tourism Board, James Turner pose in front of the first WestJet plane to fly in direct from Toronto, Canada on November 2, 2009. Photo: Derek Carroll
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Following are the schedule details of WestJet's new service.
From
November 2, 2009 to April 30, 2010:
Toronto - Freeport (twice weekly until April 30, 2010)
Departing Toronto at 10:30am and Arriving at 1:38pm
Departing Freeport at 2:45pm and Arriving in Toronto at 5:45p
One-way fares, available in both directions on non-stop flights only, are available from
$99,
plus applicable taxes and fees. Fares are available by calling
WestJet's Sales Super Centre at 1-888-WESTJET(937-8538), your preferred
travel agent or by visiting www.westjet.com.
WestJet Vacations offers customized vacation packages for most of
WestJet's scheduled destinations, including packages to Freeport
starting at
$869, plus applicable fees and taxes, for a seven-night stay. For more information, visit westjetvacations.com.
WestJet flies non-stop from
Toronto to some of the most beautiful sun destinations anywhere, including Cancun,
Barbados, St. Lucia, Montego Bay,
Nassau, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, La Romana,
Fort Lauderdale,
Orlando, Fort Myers and
Tampa. As part of its 2009-2010 winter schedule, WestJet is also adding non-stop service from
Toronto to Cozumel,
Miami, St. Maarten, Cayo Coco, Holguin, Varadero, and Turks and Caicos. One-way fares for Florida destinations start at
$89, for
Mexico at
$129 and for the Caribbean at
$145, plus applicable fees and taxes.
Bahamas Minister of Tourism and Aviation, Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace welcomes and brings remarks to WestJet and those in attendance at a reception at the Grand Bahama International Airport on November 2nd, 2009. In the background is the first WestJet plane to fly into Freeport from Toronto. Photo: Derek Carroll
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Grand Bahama Island welcomes the inaugural flight of WestJet from Toronto with a Junkanoo rushout performance, on November 2nd, 2009 at the Grand Bahama International Airport. Photo: Derek Carroll
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Richard Bartrem, WestJet Vice President, Culture & Communications & Owner brings remarks at the welcome reception of the inagural flight of WestJet to Grand Bahama Island on November 2nd, 2009. Photo: Derek Carroll
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Left to right: Minister of Works and Transport the Hon Neko Grant; Minister of Tourism and Aviation the Hon Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace; WestJet Vice President Richard Bartrem; and Minister of State for Finance and Public Service the Hon Zhivargo Laing. Photo: Derek Carroll
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About WestJet
WestJet is Canada's preferred airline, offering scheduled
service throughout its 66-city North American and Caribbean network.
Named one of Canada's most admired corporate cultures in 2005, 2006,
2007 and 2008, WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in
Canada.
WestJet offers increased legroom, leather seats and live seatback
television provided by Bell TV on its modern fleet of 81 Boeing
Next-Generation 737 aircraft. With future confirmed deliveries for an
additional 54 aircraft through 2016, WestJet strives to be one of the
five most successful international airlines in the world.
SLIDE SHOW: Inaugural flight guests disembark the WestJet aircraft in Grand Bahama after flying direct from Toronto. They are greeted by a red carpet arrival and a welcome by local dignitaries and business persons. Photos: Robbin Whachell
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Speakers at the Welcome Reception for the Inaugural WestJet flight direct from Toronto to Freeport. In order: Master of Ceremony, Betty Bethel, General Manager, Business Development for the Ministry of Tourism; Welcome remarks by David Johnson, Sr. Director General, Ministry of Tourism; Invocation by Bishop Sobig Kemp, President GB Christian Council; and Vote of Thanks by Glyne Delancey, Treasurer, GBI Tourism Board. Photos: Robbin Whachell
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