Charlottetown Airport increases early-morning seat capacity

Charlottetown Airport's winter seat capacity is growing by 33 per cent this season in response to growing travel demand, announced Charlottetown Airport Authority CEO Doug Newson today.

"We're excited to see lots of extra capacity this winter. For the first time ever we're going to have three early morning departures," said Newson.

People want to support the Charlottetown Airport and oftentimes they found they just couldn't get a seat out. Doug Newson, Charlottetown Airport CEO

Some days there will be 300 seats available leaving Charlottetown between 5:45 and 7:25 a.m.

Headlining the additional seat capacity is WestJet's launch of a daily flight to Toronto, departing Charlottetown at 6:25 a.m. It'll give travellers more same-day opportunities to connect on WestJet's international network.

Air Canada will also be enhancing its early-morning flight schedule by moving its Montreal departure to 5:45 a.m.

"We're really pleased that demand is growing, and we're delighted that our airline partners have responded," said Newson. "There will certainly be more convenience and choice."

"More choice for early-morning departures has been a priority for Charlottetown Airport because that's what air travellers have been telling us," said Newson.

Newson said the early-morning flight changes work better for both business people and vacationers.

"People want to support the Charlottetown Airport and oftentimes they found they just couldn't get a seat out, especially for those who want to leave in early morning that might be connecting to the United States or to western Canada," he said.

For Islanders looking to escape south this winter, the airport has new flights to warmer destinations.

WestJet's new non-stop, weekly service to Orlando, Florida begins Friday, December 18.

Sunwing also has a new seasonal weekly service to Varadero, Cuba, leaving Charlottetown on Wednesdays, beginning February 17.