WestJet celebrates addition of direct flights between Saskatoon and Minneapolis
Airline’s strategic growth plan brings vital investment to enhance provincial opportunity for business and leisure travel through summer schedule
WestJet today celebrated the addition of service between Saskatoon and Minneapolis, along with increased regional connectivity to the province’s western neighbours as part of the airline’s 2023 summer schedule. The new route, connecting Saskatoon directly to Minneapolis unlocks direct access from Saskatchewan to the Midwest United States and beyond. In addition, WestJet is growing Saskatchewan’s aviation pipeline and further strengthening its domestic connectivity with the resumption of non-stop flights to and from Kelowna from both Regina and Saskatoon, as well as reinstating service between Regina and Vancouver.
“As we build on our commitment to provide seamless and affordable travel opportunities to Saskatchewan, it was an honour to attend today’s celebration that is the result of the collaborative partnership between WestJet, Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport and the Government of Saskatchewan” said Andrew Gibbons, WestJet, Vice-President External Affairs. “WestJet is thrilled to be further investing in Saskatchewan, strengthening the province’s domestic and regional connectivity and creating a new, direct link for business and tourism between Saskatoon and the United States.”
Details of WestJet’s new summer service from Saskatchewan
| Destination | Start Date | Peak Season Frequency | Departure Time | Arrival Time |
| Saskatoon - Minneapolis1 | June 19 | 3x weekly | 08:00 | 11:20 |
| Regina - Kelowna* | May 21 | 2x weekly | 21:15 | 22:27 |
| Saskatoon – Kelowna* | June 2 | 2x weekly | 21:00 | 22:02 |
| Regina - Vancouver* | May 1 | 6x weekly | 14:50 | 16:04 |
*Resumption of service
WestJet’s latest investments in Saskatchewan were celebrated today at a special event held at Saskatoon International airport, with notable guests from across the province along with critical partners in attendance including, the Honourable Jeremy Harrison, Minister of Trade and Export Development, Government of Saskatchewan, the Honourable Jeremy Cockrill, Minister of Highways, Government of Saskatchewan, His Worship Charlie Clark, Mayor of Saskatoon and CJ Dushinski, Vice-President Business Development, Saskatoon Airport.
“The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to support the Saskatoon Airport Authority and WestJet in securing this important flight for the people of Saskatchewan,” said Jeremy Harrison, Minister of Trade and Export Development. “Minneapolis has historically been a critical travel route for our province. This new route opens doors to increased business travel, as well as personal vacation travel which is important for the quality of life for Saskatchewan Residents.”
New U.S. connectivity opens up a network of opportunity with increased access to Delta hubs
As the only airline providing direct connectivity between Saskatoon and Minneapolis, WestJet’s service between the two cities will stimulate business and leisure travel and is a testament to WestJet’s commitment to support investment and economic growth in the communities it serves.
Through its longstanding partnership with Delta Air Lines, guests connecting through Minneapolis will arrive in one of the U.S. airline’s major hubs, gaining access to a vast network of U.S. destinations on a single purchased ticket with check-in for all flights at the first departure, baggage tagged to their final destination and lounge access for select guests. Additionally, frequent flyers of both airlines will continue to enjoy extensive reciprocal benefits any time they fly with either carrier, including earning and redeeming in their preferred program.
“We are delighted to announce nonstop air service between Saskatoon and Minneapolis,” says Stephen Maybury, President and CEO of Saskatoon Airport Authority. “As we continue to recover from the pandemic, re-securing nonstop air service from Saskatoon into a transborder hub has been a top priority for our market. This new route will provide our community additional connectivity throughout North America and beyond. We could not be happier to see this route now served by our largest partner, WestJet, who has always viewed Saskatchewan and Saskatoon as an important and strategic market to their growing network.”
This summer, WestJet will increase its capacity to and from Saskatoon by 50 per cent and Regina by 67 per cent in comparison to 2022, serving eight destinations from the province.
“I am very happy to see the return of this cross-border flight to Minneapolis. The new routes and flights WestJet is bringing to Saskatoon will make it easier for people to come here and for our citizens to get out to the world. What we produce in our city and our province are increasingly crucial to the world. Good air connections are essential to ensuring we can seize the opportunities ahead. Thank you to WestJet for this investment. Thank you also to the Provincial Government, the Saskatoon Airport and everyone who has worked hard to make this happen,” said His Worship Charlie Clark, Mayor of Saskatoon.
