WestJet adds five Caribbean routes: what about Dominican Republic?
WestJet has rolled out its winter 2026-2027 schedule with five new non-stop international routes. The Canadian airline is strengthening its network from Calgary to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, as reported by Suelo Caribe.
One highlight is the Calgary-Mérida flight, the only direct connection between western Canada and that Mexican city. The other four routes cover various regional destinations, but Dominican Republic is not on the list. That stings: while the Caribbean expands its connectivity with western Canada, airports like Punta Cana, La Romana or Samaná are left out of this expansion.
Don’t read this as a crisis. It’s a wake-up call for MITUR and hoteliers: Canada is a high-spending outbound market, and if we are not in WestJet’s plan, we need to go out and negotiate. Regional competition is stepping up, and we must row. Dominican tourism has what it takes, but connectivity is won through active management.
Quick questions
What new routes did WestJet announce for winter 2026-2027?
Does WestJet's new routes include Dominican Republic?
Why is WestJet's expansion important for the Caribbean?
What should Dominican Republic do in response?
Does WestJet currently fly to Dominican Republic?
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