# WestJet expands Latin American routes while cutting U.S. web

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/westjet-expands-winter-sun-routes
> Updated: 2026-08-17T14:20:00.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 5.

Since July 2026, WestJet has been restructuring its winter network, balancing significant expansions in leisure destinations with substantial cuts to its U.S. schedule.

To meet demand for sun destinations, WestJet announced several new nonstop routes for the 2026–27 season. These include weekly services from Winnipeg to Belize City, Mérida, San José del Cabo, and Punta Cana, as well as an Ottawa–Liberia link. A seasonal Calgary–Mérida flight is also scheduled to operate from 17 December 2026 to 1 April 2027. In late July, the airline added a seasonal São Paulo–Calgary route using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to target travelers heading to the Brazilian hinterland and the Rocky Mountains.

By August 2026, WestJet described its 2026/2027 winter schedule as its ‘largest-ever’, aiming to increase capacity to Latin America and the Caribbean by 12% year-over-year. This expansion includes significant capacity growth in Western Canadian markets, such as a 77% increase in Saskatoon and a 64% increase in Regina.

Conversely, WestJet confirmed the cancellation of ten U.S. routes for the winter season to focus on long-term sustainability. This includes cutting Vancouver’s U.S. destinations from eleven to six and reducing weekly transborder departures from Vancouver by approximately 26%. Canceled services include flights from Vancouver to Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Los Angeles, Lihue, and Orlando, with additional single-destination cuts affecting Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, and Toronto Pearson. To maintain connectivity, WestJet will utilize its Calgary hub and a Delta-operated codeshare for the Vancouver–Los Angeles route starting 21 November 2026.

During this period, Air Canada also expanded its winter offerings, adding five nonstop routes linking Toronto and Montreal to Roatán, Honduras, and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, alongside services to Mérida and Mazatlán.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-17: WestJet expands Latin America and Caribbean winter schedule

WestJet is launching its largest-ever winter schedule for 2026/2027, increasing capacity to Latin America and the Caribbean by 12% through new routes and increased frequencies from Western Canada.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/westjet-expands-latin-america-and-caribbean-winter-schedule

### 2026-07-30: WestJet cuts ten US routes, halving Vancouver's winter network

WestJet cancels ten U.S. routes for winter 2026‑27, cutting Vancouver’s U.S. destinations from eleven to six and weekly departures by 26%, citing weak demand and shifting to codeshares.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/westjet-cuts-ten-us-routes-halving-vancouvers-winter-network

### 2026-07-26: Canadian airlines add winter routes to Brazil and Caribbean

WestJet and Air Canada are launching new seasonal routes linking Canada with Brazil, the Caribbean and Central America, expanding winter travel options.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canadian-airlines-add-winter-routes-to-brazil-and-caribbean

### 2026-07-23: WestJet to start direct Calgary–Mérida flights in December 2026

WestJet will launch a weekly direct Calgary‑Mérida flight from 17 Dec 2026 to 1 Apr 2027, using a Boeing 737‑800, to boost winter tourism between Canada and Mexico’s Yucatán.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/westjet-to-start-direct-calgarymrida-flights-in-december-2026

### 2026-07-21: WestJet launches Winnipeg‑Belize City nonstop flight and other winter routes

WestJet adds five winter 2026‑27 routes, including a weekly nonstop Winnipeg‑Belize City flight starting Dec 14, plus new services to Mérida, San José del Cabo, Punta Cana and Liberia, to boost tourism.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/westjet-launches-winnipegbelize-city-nonstop-flight-and-other-winter-routes

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Cite as: WestJet expands Latin American routes while cutting U.S. web. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/westjet-expands-winter-sun-routes
