Seoul, April 23: Korean Air and WestJet have announced an expansion of their codeshare agreement, introducing a new direct route from Seoul Incheon to Calgary, set to commence on May 17.
This strategic enhancement is expected to significantly boost transpacific connectivity, providing travelers with increased access to destinations across Asia and North America.
The newly established route will operate three times a week, utilizing the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. This development marks a significant milestone in the partnership between the two airlines, which first initiated their codeshare collaboration in June 2012.
Tae Joon Kim, Korean Air’s Senior Vice President and Head of International Affairs & Alliance, expressed enthusiasm about the expanded partnership, stating, “We are excited to announce an expanded codeshare with our longstanding partner WestJet, offering our valued customers access to a wide range of transpacific destinations. The launch of WestJet’s Calgary – Seoul Incheon route will bolster connectivity between Korea and Canada, while our strengthened partnership will seamlessly connect customers to an expanded array of Asian and Canadian cities through our hubs in Incheon and Calgary, respectively.”
For WestJet, this codeshare expansion is timely as it prepares to launch its inaugural flights on the new route.
Jeff Hagen, WestJet’s Vice-President of Commercial Development and Strategic Partnerships, highlighted the strategic timing of this expansion, “As we prepare for WestJet’s inaugural flights between Calgary and Incheon, the timing of this codeshare expansion is ideal. We are enhancing connectivity to more destinations in Asia for our guests and WestJet Rewards members from one of the world’s busiest cities, and Korean Air’s global hub.”
Through the codeshare agreement, WestJet customers will gain access to flights operated by Korean Air to six new destinations in Asia including Bangkok, Da Nang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, and Singapore, all via Korean Air’s hub at Incheon Airport. Conversely, Korean Air passengers will enjoy direct access to Calgary, Canada’s gateway to the scenic Banff National Park.
The partnership has evolved to include Korean Air’s flights from Seoul Incheon to Vancouver and Toronto; WestJet’s extensive domestic routes within Canada; and flights to and from the United States via Vancouver and Toronto. With this latest expansion, the codeshare network between Korean Air and WestJet will encompass a total of 36 routes, further solidifying their reciprocal partnership and enhancing the travel options for both leisure and business travelers across their extensive networks.
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