WestJet, the Canadian low-cost airline carrier, will expand its flight offerings in the United States thanks to winning slots for flights out of New York’s LaGuardia Airport.
Reuters reported that the company announced the plans Wednesday as it its pitted in a battle for flights to the United States East Coast against dominant airliner Air Canada and a smaller rival, Porter Airlines.
Winning slots at LaGuardia Airport would be helpful in the company’s quest to attract business travelers.
"Our growth plans, in which increased business travel in the East figures prominently, include New York City, Canada's largest international business market," WestJet Chief Executive Gregg Saretsky told reporters in a statement as reported by Reuters.
The Associated Press reported that rights to fly in and out of LaGuardia were part of an auction coordinated by the Federal Aviation Administration as part of a swap of rights between Delta Air Lines and US Airways.
Reuters reported that WestJet previous flew midday flights into LaGuardia Airport, but pulled out in July 2005 after only 10 months in service.
