CALGARY- Top 20 busiest routes of WestJet (WS) analysis reveals significant market dynamics across major Canadian corridors, with notable variations in performance between domestic and international routes through Q3 2024.
The AvBench data highlights both challenges and opportunities in the airline’s network strategy, particularly in its western Canadian stronghold.
Photo: By Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia – WestJet, C-GUDO, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8749170720 Busiest Routes of WestJet
The airline demonstrates particularly strong market share positions in Western Canada routes, maintaining dominant positions of over 90% in markets like Kelowna-Calgary (90%) and Regina-Calgary (99%), while major transcontinental routes show more competitive pressure.
The below table shows the Top 20 busiest routes of WestJet (WS) by Passenger carried:
| 1 | Vancouver-Calgary | 581,000 | 50% | 290,500 | 4.9% |
| 2 | Kelowna-Calgary | 270,000 | 90% | 243,000 | 27.3% |
| 3 | Calgary-Victoria | 260,000 | 89% | 231,400 | 23.1% |
| 4 | Toronto-Calgary | 509,000 | 37% | 188,330 | 0.7% |
| 5 | Winnipeg-Calgary | 248,000 | 78% | 193,440 | 16.3% |
| 6 | Edmonton-Vancouver | 244,000 | 40% | 97,600 | -1.3% |
| 7 | Regina-Calgary | 151,000 | 99% | 149,490 | 6.4% |
| 8 | Saskatoon-Calgary | 163,000 | 98% | 159,740 | 10.9% |
| 9 | Edmonton-Winnipeg | 147,000 | 85% | 124,950 | 18.4% |
| 10 | Edmonton-Toronto | 243,000 | 30% | 72,900 | 6.5% |
| 11 | Edmonton-Kelowna | 150,000 | 64% | 96,000 | 9.9% |
| 12 | Cancun-Calgary | 150,000 | 68% | 102,000 | 8.7% |
| 13 | Las Vegas-Calgary | 148,000 | 61% | 90,280 | 6.3% |
| 14 | Edmonton-Calgary | 143,000 | 59% | 84,370 | -4.3% |
| 15 | Abbotsford-Calgary | 148,000 | 51% | 75,480 | 5.0% |
| 16 | Toronto-Vancouver | 338,000 | 21% | 70,980 | 0.7% |
| 17 | Cancun-Toronto | 218,000 | 22% | 47,960 | 6.7% |
| 18 | Toronto-Winnipeg | 193,000 | 28% | 54,040 | 0.8% |
| 19 | Punta Cana-Toronto | 184,000 | 24% | 44,160 | 13.5% |
| 20 | Orlando-Toronto | 149,000 | 22% | 32,780 | 6.6% |
1. Vancouver (YVR) – Calgary (YYC)
- Passenger Volume: 581,000
- Market Share: 50%
- WestJet Passengers: 290,500
- YoY Growth Rate: 4.9%
This flagship route demonstrates WestJet’s strong presence in Western Canada’s corridor, carrying nearly 300,000 passengers despite intense competition from Air Canada (AC).
The balanced market share suggests a healthy competitive environment, while the positive growth rate indicates sustained demand.
The route benefits from both business and leisure traffic, connecting two major economic centers while serving as a crucial connecting point for international travelers through both hubs.
2. Kelowna (YLW) – Calgary (YYC)
- Passenger Volume: 270,000
- Market Share: 90%
- WestJet Passengers: 243,000
- YoY Growth Rate: 27.3%
WestJet’s near-monopoly on this route showcases its dominance in regional Western Canadian markets, with remarkable year-over-year growth indicating strong demand and successful capacity management.
The route’s success is driven by both leisure traffic to the Okanagan Valley and business connections through Calgary’s hub, demonstrating WestJet’s ability to serve multiple market segments effectively.
3. Calgary (YYC) – Victoria (YYJ)
- Passenger Volume: 260,000
- Market Share: 89%
- WestJet Passengers: 231,400
- YoY Growth Rate: 23.1%
Another demonstration of WestJet’s regional strength, this route shows exceptional growth while maintaining a dominant market share.
The high passenger volume reflects strong demand between Alberta’s largest city and British Columbia’s capital.
The impressive growth rate suggests successful capacity expansion and strong market acceptance of WestJet’s service offering on this route.
4. Toronto (YYZ) – Calgary (YYC)
- Passenger Volume: 509,000
- Market Share: 37%
- WestJet Passengers: 188,330
- YoY Growth Rate: 0.7%
This major transcontinental route faces fierce competition from Air Canada (AC), reflected in the lower market share despite high total passenger volume.
The modest growth rate suggests a mature market with established competitive dynamics. The route serves as a crucial east-west link in WestJet’s network, connecting its Calgary hub with Toronto, Canada’s largest city and financial center.
5. Winnipeg (YWG) – Calgary (YYC)
- Passenger Volume: 248,000
- Market Share: 78%
- WestJet Passengers: 193,440
- YoY Growth Rate: 16.3%
WestJet’s strong presence in this prairie corridor is evident from its high market share and healthy growth rate.
The route benefits from both point-to-point traffic and connections through Calgary. The impressive growth rate indicates successful market stimulation and possibly market share gains from competitors.
6. Edmonton (YEG) – Vancouver (YVR)
- Passenger Volume: 244,000
- Market Share: 40%
- WestJet Passengers: 97,600
- YoY Growth Rate: -1.3%
This competitive route shows WestJet maintaining a significant presence despite strong competition from Air Canada (AC) and Flair Airlines (F8). The negative growth rate suggests some market share pressure from ultra-low-cost carriers.
The route serves both business and leisure markets, connecting Alberta’s capital with Canada’s Pacific gateway.
7. Regina (YQR) – Calgary (YYC)
- Passenger Volume: 151,000
- Market Share: 99%
- WestJet Passengers: 149,490
- YoY Growth Rate: 6.4%
WestJet’s virtual monopoly on this route demonstrates its absolute dominance in connecting secondary prairie markets. The healthy growth rate indicates continued market strength and effective capacity management.
The route’s success showcases WestJet’s ability to serve smaller markets efficiently while maintaining profitable operations.
8. Saskatoon (YXE) – Calgary (YYC)
- Passenger Volume: 163,000
- Market Share: 98%
- WestJet Passengers: 159,740
- YoY Growth Rate: 10.9%
Similar to Regina, this route showcases WestJet’s dominance in Saskatchewan markets. The strong growth rate suggests successful market development and possibly increased frequency or capacity.
The high market share indicates strong brand preference and effective competitive barriers in the market.
9. Edmonton (YEG) – Winnipeg (YWG)
- Passenger Volume: 147,000
- Market Share: 85%
- WestJet Passengers: 124,950
- YoY Growth Rate: 18.4%
This prairie corridor route shows WestJet’s strength in connecting major prairie cities. The impressive growth rate suggests successful market stimulation and possibly new frequency additions.
High market share indicates strong competitive position and effective network planning in serving these markets.
10. Edmonton (YEG) – Toronto (YYZ)
- Passenger Volume: 243,000
- Market Share: 30%
- WestJet Passengers: 72,900
- YoY Growth Rate: 6.5%
This transcontinental route faces strong competition from Air Canada and emerging ultra-low-cost carriers. The low market share reflects the competitive nature of city-pair markets.
The positive growth rate suggests some success in market share gains, possibly through strategic scheduling and pricing initiatives.
11. Edmonton (YEG) – Kelowna (YLW)
- Passenger Volume: 150,000
- Market Share: 64%
- WestJet Passengers: 96,000
- YoY Growth Rate: 9.9%
WestJet maintains a strong position on this leisure-oriented route, connecting Alberta with British Columbia’s wine country.
The healthy growth rate indicates successful market stimulation and possibly increased seasonal capacity. The route benefits from both leisure and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) traffic, with strong seasonal peaks.
12. Cancun (CUN) – Calgary (YYC)
- Passenger Volume: 150,000
- Market Share: 68%
- WestJet Passengers: 102,000
- YoY Growth Rate: 8.7%
This international leisure route demonstrates WestJet’s strength in connecting Western Canada to sun destinations.
The strong market share indicates successful competition against both Canadian and Mexican carriers. The solid growth rate suggests effective capacity management and strong leisure market demand.
13. Las Vegas (LAS) – Calgary (YYC)
- Passenger Volume: 148,000
- Market Share: 61%
- WestJet Passengers: 90,280
- YoY Growth Rate: 6.3%
Another strong international leisure route showing WestJet’s ability to compete effectively in the U.S. market. The decent market share reflects successful positioning against both Canadian and U.S. carriers.
The positive growth rate indicates sustained demand for leisure travel and successful market stimulation strategies.
14. Edmonton (YEG) – Calgary (YYC)
- Passenger Volume: 143,000
- Market Share: 59%
- WestJet Passengers: 84,370
- YoY Growth Rate: -4.3%
This short-haul route faces competition from both air and ground transportation options. The negative growth rate might reflect increased competition from ultra-low-cost carriers or changes in consumer behavior.
The route maintains strategic importance for network connectivity despite challenges in the local market.
15. Abbotsford (YXX) – Calgary (YYC)
- Passenger Volume: 148,000
- Market Share: 51%
- WestJet Passengers: 75,480
- YoY Growth Rate: 5.0%
This route serves as an alternative gateway to the Vancouver market while catering to local Fraser Valley demand.
The balanced market share reflects competition from ultra-low-cost carriers. The positive growth rate suggests successful market development and effective positioning against low-cost competition.
16. Toronto (YYZ) – Vancouver (YVR)
- Passenger Volume: 338,000
- Market Share: 21%
- WestJet Passengers: 70,980
- YoY Growth Rate: 0.7%
This major transcontinental route faces intense competition from multiple carriers. The lower market share reflects the highly competitive nature of this premium route.
The modest growth rate suggests a focus on yield management rather than market share growth in this competitive corridor.
17. Cancun (CUN) – Toronto (YYZ)
- Passenger Volume: 218,000
- Market Share: 22%
- WestJet Passengers: 47,960
- YoY Growth Rate: 6.7%
This competitive leisure route faces strong competition from Air Canada and holiday carriers. The lower market share reflects the intense competition in the Toronto-Caribbean market.
The positive growth rate indicates successful market positioning despite competitive pressures.
18. Toronto (YYZ) – Winnipeg (YWG)
- Passenger Volume: 193,000
- Market Share: 28%
- WestJet Passengers: 54,040
- YoY Growth Rate: 0.8%
This route connects Canada’s largest city with a major prairie hub. The moderate market share reflects strong competition from Air Canada and emerging carriers.
The modest growth rate suggests a stable but highly competitive market environment.
19. Punta Cana (PUJ) – Toronto (YYZ)
- Passenger Volume: 184,000
- Market Share: 24%
- WestJet Passengers: 44,160
- YoY Growth Rate: 13.5%
This Caribbean leisure route shows strong growth despite intense competition. The lower market share reflects the presence of multiple leisure carriers in the Toronto market.
The impressive growth rate suggests successful market stimulation and possibly increased seasonal capacity.
20. Orlando (MCO) – Toronto (YYZ)
- Passenger Volume: 149,000
- Market Share: 22%
- WestJet Passengers: 32,780
- YoY Growth Rate: 6.6%
This leisure route faces competition from both Canadian and U.S. carriers. The lower market share reflects the highly competitive nature of the Toronto-Florida market.
The positive growth rate indicates successful market positioning and possibly increased focus on leisure traffic development.
Photo: Mackenzie Cole | FlickrMarket Performance Analysis
The Western Canadian routes emerge as WestJet’s stronghold, with eight of the top 20 routes maintaining market shares above 60%.
Kelowna-Calgary and Calgary-Victoria routes show remarkable year-over-year growth of 27.3% and 23.1% respectively, indicating successful market penetration and service optimization in these markets.
Major east-west routes present a more challenging picture, with Toronto-Calgary, the second-busiest route at 509,000 passengers, holding a 37% market share and showing modest 0.7% growth over 12 months.
The Vancouver-Calgary route, despite being the highest-volume route with 581,000 passengers, experienced a 3.0% decline in the last quarter while maintaining 50% market share.
International Route Performance
The leisure-focused international routes display varying performance levels:
- Cancun-Toronto maintains steady growth with 6.7% year-over-year improvement
- Punta Cana-Toronto shows strong performance with 13.5% growth
- Las Vegas-Calgary faces headwinds with a 6.4% quarterly decline despite steady annual growth
WestJet’s network strategy appears focused on consolidating its presence in Western Canada while maintaining strategic positions in competitive transcontinental markets.
The airline’s ability to maintain high market shares in regional routes while competing in major markets demonstrates a balanced approach to network development.
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