Jamaica Welcomes WestJet’s Inaugural Flight from Quebec City

Jamaica welcomed WestJet’s new weekly flight from Québec City, Canada, to Montego Bay on December 6, the latest sign of the nation’s rebound from Hurricane Melissa and a vote of confidence in its tourism resilience.

Canada’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, His Excellency Mark Berman, and his wife, Allison, joined a delegation of industry stakeholders at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St. James, to mark the inaugural arrival.

High Commissioner Berman said Canada’s swift, positive response to Jamaica’s recovery underscores a long-standing friendship and shared values in culture, sports and tourism.

He added that the new route demonstrates that Jamaica remains open for business and “bigger things to come”.

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, hailed the commercial milestone as more than a lift in air service.

He said the Quebec City route strengthens Jamaica’s bid to attract 600,000 Canadian visitors annually and to generate about US$750 million in tourism earnings by 2030.

The service is part of WestJet’s winter 2025/26 schedule and comes after the two-carrier merger that folded Sunwing’s network into WestJet’s.

Meanwhile, Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, thanked WestJet for selecting Jamaica and pledged that Montego Bay will maintain a safe, seamless, high-quality tourism product as the city heads into the December 15 start of the winter season.

Regional Tourism Manager for the Jamaica Tourist Board, Odette Dyer, and President of the Montego Bay Chapter of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Kerry Ann Quallo Casserly, spoke in support of the route and Jamaica’s recovery efforts.

Director of Tourism, Donovan White, said the route is evidence that Jamaica can recover without sacrificing guest safety or experience.

Regional Director for Canada, Angella Bennett, said the partnership with WestJet reflects Canadian confidence in Jamaica’s appeal and resilience.

The inaugural flight touched down as Jamaica’s tourism sector continues to restore infrastructure and rebuild visitor confidence after Hurricane Melissa’s impact.

WestJet’s Québec City–Montego Bay service will operate once weekly, providing Canadian travellers easier access to Jamaica’s beaches, culture, and hospitality.

The launch reinforces Jamaica’s broader strategy to diversify its tourism markets and accelerate growth in the post-storm period as the country works to recover while maintaining a strong focus on safety and service quality for visitors.

“The fact that we are seeing an inaugural flight only a month after a monster category-five storm speaks volume about our state of readiness and what our visitors feel about Jamaica as a destination,” said Executive Director of Jamaica Vacations (JAMVAC), Joy Roberts.