Canadian carrier Westjet made its debut at Gatwick over the weekend starting 28 weekly low-cost flights to six cities in Canada.
One way fares to Toronto, St John’s, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg are all currently available from between £150 and £178.
Daily services depart Gatwick for Toronto and St John’s, six flights a week will serve Vancouver, five to Calgary, two to Edmonton, and the only non-stop transatlantic service Winnipeg will fly from Gatwick on a weekly basis.
All flights will be operated by WestJet’s 262-passenger Boeing 767-300 extended-range aircraft with the exception of St John’s which will served by a 737.
Airport chief executive, Stewart Wingate, added: “Gatwick’s twenty eight new weekly flights to Canada provide a significant boost to the competitiveness of the UK transatlantic market.
“This competition can only be good for UK consumers enjoy who will benefit from an increased range of destinations at affordable prices, while enjoying WestJet’s renowned commitment to great saervice.”
The airline’s chief executive Gregg Saretsky said: “The launch of wide-body transatlantic service this weekend ushers in a new era in the history of WestJet.
“From humble beginnings as a regional airline serving five destinations in western Canada, we have grown to become a truly international carrier in just two decades, now taking Canadians across the North Atlantic to visit family and friends in London and beyond.
“Our low-fare, high-care service, combined with our caring, people-driven approach, continues to win new guests in every new part of the world we serve. I thank more than 11,000 WestJetters as well as our loyal guests for making this remarkable milestone a reality.”
Gordon Campbell, Canada’s High Commissioner to the UK, added: “We are so pleased to see the introduction of the new WestJet routes from Gatwick. They will give even more of our British friends the chance to explore Canada’s incredible sights from coast to coast.”