2 days ago
WestJet plane lands in Sudbury for the first time since 2019
A Boeing 737 was greeted with a water salute Thursday to mark the formal return of WestJet to the Greater Sudbury Airport.
On Thursday, the Greater Sudbury Airport celebrated the launch of WestJet's first non-stop service between Sudbury and Calgary.
The Boeing 737 was greeted with a water salute as it landed, a traditional ceremony in aviation.
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The WestJet flight into Sudbury was a career highlight for pilot Sherry Stringer, a 22-year employee with WestJet who grew up in Sudbury.
(Lyndsay Aelick/CTV News)
'We're committed right now to connecting Canadians where they want to fly. And Sudbury was an unserved market for us,' said Mike Perkins of WestJet.
When they saw the demand for flights, Perkins said they decided to add the service this summer. It marks the return of the airline to Sudbury, which departed in 2019.
'It's no secret that regional airports have lagged in recovery since the pandemic,' said Giovanna Verrilli, CAO of the Greater Sudbury Airport.
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WestJet's Boeing 737 was greeted with a water salute as it landed in Sudbury, a traditional ceremony in aviation.
(Lyndsay Aelick/CTV News)
WestJet Sudbury 2
Officials on hand at the Sudbury Airport for Thursday's event included Nickel Belt MPP France Gelinas and Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre.
(Lyndsay Aelick/CTV News)
'What this does for Sudbury and the region is it makes it more accessible … So not only can we travel onwards, but now people can reach Sudbury.'
Verrilli said talks are ongoing with existing partners and new airlines, as increasing services and flights is a top priority.
'There's a lot of feedback from passengers, right? No. 1, give us choice on where to go,' she said.
'They want to be able to fly to different destinations and get there quickly and efficiently. So that's No. 1. No. 2 (is to) ensure that my trip is on time and that it is not cancelled.'
The flight was a career highlight for pilot Sherry Stringer, a 22-year employee with WestJet who grew up in Sudbury.
'It definitely stemmed from flying with my dad,' Stringer said.
'We used to do a lot of fishing trips together in the float planes and ice fishing trips. Started taking lessons as a teenager and it's just evolved into this.'
WestJet Sudbury
On Thursday, the Greater Sudbury Airport celebrated the launch of WestJet's first non-stop service between Sudbury and Calgary.
(Lyndsay Aelick/CTV News)
Officials said the return of WestJet is a critical step in strengthening regional connectivity and expanding economic, business and leisure travel opportunities between the two regions.
Direct flights will operate twice weekly on Thursday and Sunday until the end of October as part of WestJet's summer schedule.
There are already plans in place for the flights to resume in May 2026.
