Westjet, Icelandair team up on new Iqaluit service
April Fool’s!
The Iqaluit International Airport often sees emergency landings from international flights. But as of July 9, the airport will host flights to and from Iceland as well as new, lower-cost flights from Winnipeg and Toronto. (Photo by Jane George)
Nunavut travellers will soon enjoy access to a much wider, and cheaper, range of air travel options to take them in and out of Iqaluit.
That’s because Westjet and Icelandair plan to make a joint announcement today, in honour of Nunavut’s 20th anniversary, declaring they’ll team up on a new schedule service for Iqaluit.
Spokespersons for the two companies confirmed that with Nunatsiaq News in advance of today’s announcement.
The new service will come into effect on July 9, Nunavut Day.
“For too long, the people of Iqaluit and Nunavut have been been oppressed by the practices of the two incumbent airlines. With their highly unpopular merger just around the corner, we have hear their message loud and clear and look forward to offering Nunavut the freedom to fly at affordable prices,” an Icelandair spokesperson said.
The new routes will include flights from Winnipeg and Toronto that will continuing flying between Iqaluit and Keflavik International Airport in Iceland.
The new partnership will make it possible for Nunavut travellers to benefit from reduced rates to many points throughout Canada, North America, the Caribbean and Europe.
“A passenger who now wishes to travel to Iqaluit from Winnipeg will pay less than a $1,000 return, about the same fare as a round-trip ticket from Winnipeg to Halifax,” said a spokesperson from Westjet who is not authorized to speak to the media and asked for anonymity.
Passengers will also be able to head east to Iceland for a one-way fare as low as $300, opening up trips to Europe to many in the territory.
The decision by the two airlines to fly north comes after the sudden demise of Wow airline last week. Wow, an Icelandic ultra-low-cost carrier, founded in 2011, operated services between Iceland, Europe, Asia, and North America.
Icelandair, Iceland’s national airline, invites its passengers to stop over in Reykjavik, at no additional cost, with the understanding that they will spend money on hotels, food and activities during their stay.
A similar offer is expected to be offered to those passing through Iqaluit, after the new Iqaluit hotel and conference centre is completed later this year.
As a bonus, the two airlines will be able to make use of Iqaluit’s former, and now vacant, yellow airline terminal for their cargo needs.
Government of Nunavut officials told Nunatsiaq News in confidence that they want to avoid a repeat of the attempt by Air Greenland to offer service through Iqaluit to Ottawa.
That project collapsed in 2011.
Part of that failure was related to the former passenger terminal in Iqaluit, which had limited space to deal with international flights.
But the new Iqaluit International Airport terminal, which opened in 2017, has enough space: now there are 16 common use flight departure stations for check-ins that can be switched according to need.
The new terminal at the Iqaluit International Airport has plenty of space to accommodate new passengers. (Photo by Jane George)
There’s also room for information desks, offices—including some upstairs—along with a huge waiting area for the airport’s five gates as well as customs facilities.
In fact, the entire departure lounge area can made into an international, secure area by moving a few walls.
The economic impact of the new Westjet-Icelandair service comes as a big 20th anniversary present to the territory, one that is potentially worth millions of dollars to consumers.
A highly-placed GN office said, “Alianait! This justifies the $300 million cost of the new terminal!”
For Nunavut travellers, the increased scheduled flight options will bring savings as well, prompting a resident of Iqaluit and future traveller on the new airlines to simply say, “Wow!”
The expected announcement comes as no surprise to many who work at the Iqaluit airport. Earlier this year, a sign posted on a door was widely circulated on social media.
Just a reminder to check today’s date!
This sign, photographed at the Iqaluit airport, represented a tip-off about the new Westjet-Icelandair scheduled air service. (Submitted photo)
NOT COOL MAN
Why not?
If you have to ask then you won’t unde.
Other airlines should go for the pie, the filling is in Iqaluit-Ottawa route.
Too bad this isn’t true, it should be this way. But the oppressors who own the northern airlines would never allow an ease to the suffering of their own.
Yes, yes …. very humorous! April fool to you too Nunatsaiq News 🙂
Wish this was announced tomorrow instead. or after 12 PM today.
This was actually advertised 3 days ago, in another paper, I have been following it because of Potential job opportunities..
This is the best advertisement ever for a new day and a new spring, a new summer, a new future for young people of Nunavut, to visit the Viking territory of Iceland and come back and say;. If they can do it we can too. Some times a fools day’s step can be a warming one. This is one step. I like this one.
Glad to hear our people up there will be getting decent service. Kudos to the airlines for doing the right thing.
Enchanted Owl is one of my favourite pieces of art. It’s right up there with the best in the world. Perfect choice for your new airport.
This would be great news. I got excited and then realised it was April Fool’s. Haha Good one
I cry of happiness today for now we can visit eaxh other more often again. My daughter, her husband snd my granddaughter and my daughters other family here. Finally cheeper travelling. My daughter didn’t make it to her fathers funeral in 2015 from Iqaluit to Greenland because they had to go half the world round first and bad weather every where. Let’s hope this opportunity will be thrre for a long time
This is honestly not funny at all. People truly got excited and shared this article (with reason!) without reading until the very last line. Way to give people hope and then take it away…
I agree. Some people don’t ‘celebrate’ April fools day.
If they are willing to post a fake article on any day of the year it makes me question the validity of any other news stories from them .
Ouch! That hurt! You got us all good, that’s for sure! Man! And I thought I was ready not to be duped today
This article is unprofessional, tactless and cruel. Not impressed.
So so sad that you think this is funny. People can’t see their friends and family or get affordable goods up north, this gives people hope, until they read to the end.
Well done! I thought this was absolutely hilarious! Lighten up people, it’s April Fool’s Day! I work for one of the airlines mentioned and got quite excited for a few minutes. For all those who are upset by this, bahumbug! Awesome job, Nunatsiaq!
…says a person who works for an airline and likely is not living in a fly in place where not all medical needs are available.
Meanwhile, in other news, the federal Liberal caucus met this morning and voted 160 to 10 to remove Justin Trudeau as leader and for Puglaas (Jody Wilson-Raybould) to replace him as Canada’s Prime Minister.
This article pointless.
You are here to report ‘news’ not be funny.
If you want to tell jokes then do it within you’re own office.
Not impressed Nunatsiaq News.
This could have been a Facebook post, but as an actual article? Very poor taste Nunatsiaq News.
Not even funny. Don’t joke about air transportation like that.