Not 1 But 2 Canadian Low-Fare Carriers Compete For Customers @ PhxMesa Gateway

WestJet circles for another go at NewLeaf with new Arizona flights
Monday, November 21, 2016

Posted by Travelweek Group

CALGARY — WestJet isn’t wasting any time, announcing new service to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport from Calgary and Edmonton starting Jan. 19, 2017, just two days after competitor NewLeaf introduced its 2017 winter sun program with seasonal service on the same route.
“We are proud of our expanding network of more than 100 cities in over 20 countries, and our reputation as an established, trusted brand with more than two decades of service to Canadians,” said Bob Cummings, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Commercial. “We have provided hundreds of thousands of our guests with nonstop service between Canada and Phoenix since 2004, and now look forward to bringing low fares and our signature brand of caring, friendly service to our second destination in Arizona.”

Just like NewLeaf, WestJet will offer three times weekly service from Calgary to Mesa (Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays) and once weekly service from Edmonton to Mesa, on Saturdays.

NewLeaf is already battling it out with WestJet in Hamilton, now that the Calgary-based carrier has brought back several Hamilton routes including Vancouver, Edmonton and Halifax as well as a new route between Hamilton and Winnipeg, where NewLeaf is based.

NewLeaf doesn’t pay commission, but it isn’t anti-travel agent, said NewLeaf CEO Jim Young in an interview earlier this year.
“If we’re anti-anything, we’re anti-GDS,” he said. Agents can book and have been booking the airline directly for their clients, he added. “We’re anti-cost. We have to have the lowest operation costs we possibly can.”